Horse Racing: Emerald Downs Kir Royale rundowns Eyelight in Feature win

8/29/2026

(Auburn, WA) It was another Super Saturday at Emerald Downs with a nice 10-race card on tap. Everyone with their Fab Friday shirts got free admission, there were food and beverage specials and another shot at $1,000 in the horse shoe toss.

Tomorrow (Sunday) is Italian day with annual Pizza eating contest and another good race card of 10 races.

There are only 5 race days left and the jockey and trainer standings are still up for grabs. Plus a final Super Stakes Sunday on Septemeber 6 with 4 Stakes races all with purses of $50,000. The Muckleshoot Juvemnile fillies, the 59th Muckleshoot Tribal Distaff, the 84th Muckleshoot Tribal Classic and the 86th Gottstein Futurity.

Let’s get started with Saturday’s race notes in the Track Wire and then our re-caps and replays are all below. Thanks to Vince Bruun for his feature race coverage and race notes and Reid Palmer for his Kir Royale photo.

Saturday’s 10-race card handled $1,180,545. Cantcatchthiscat ($4.90) improved to four for nine at Emerald Downs, running six panels in 1:08.71 under Kevin Krigger for Frank Lucarelli and Margaret Root. Lucarelli added a second win as Mocktails Anyone ($3.36) earned her diploma in career start 17, covering 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.87. Nominations closed for four stakes on Sunday, Sept. 6, including Longacres Mile winner Adios Jojo heading the noms for the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic. . .Aloha Breeze heads eight fillies or mare nominated to the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Distaff.

From the Saddle

10 races and 3 riders had 2 or more wins led by Adrian Castellanos with the hat trick including taking the feature. Blake Nunnally and Kevin Krigger each doubled. Alex Cruz, Talliyah Timentwa and Allyssa Morales each scored a win.

From the Barn

A pair of trainers doubled up on Saturday as Frank Lucarelli and Howie Gibson both got their picture taken twice. Other winning trainers included Tom Wenzel, Jack McCartney, Doug Carlson, Marcelino Trujillo, sergio Perez and Kay Cooper won the feature race with Kir Royale.

The Betting Window

Saturday was a good day to hit some big pays but also an interesting one as well. Let’s start in the 7th race when 15-1 Happy Is won, 36-1 Betty Lute took 2nd, 9-1 River Dance 3rd and 6-1 Chokechery Shari was 4th. This triggerd big traditional pays of $32.38, $14.12 and $8.26 pays for the winner, a big $24.44 and $10.70 return for the place runner and $5.90 on the show. None of these were season highs but great returns nonetheless. 

It did create the largest $1 exacta pay by far of $682.52 beating the previous 2026 high of $230.20. The 10-cent Superfecta was also a season high of $2,414.59 surpassing the $2,351.43 set on July 11th. Quick note, jockey Talliyah Timentwa was the jockey of Charlie Neal on July 11 setting the previous superfecta high and she rode Happy Is on Saturday leading the new Super high pay.

The Trifecta paid $1,494.62 but was not a new high pay which is $1,980.27 set back on July 17.

One other betting result popped out from Saturday with the 50-cent Super High Five in the 10th race. The odds-on favorite won, followed by a 7-1 then 43-1, 3-1 and 5-1. There were only 7 horses in the race and no one hit the Super High Five. Clearly the 43-1 3rd place finish was the likely issue but with a heavy 3-5 favorite winning it really turns the bet into a superfecta so a bit surprising no one spread enough in the show placing to take the pot. The carry-over to Sunday is nearly $1,500.

And the 10-cent Jackpot Pick 6 paid a decent $479 spurred on by the 15-1 winner in the 7th. Sunday’s carry-over is $7,660.

Feature Race 9th Race

Kir Royale rallied inside and caught Eyelight in the final strides for a 1 ¼-length victory Saturday in the $20,000 W & W Fillies & Mares Purse at Emerald Downs.

Ridden by the red-hot Adrian Castellanos, Kir Royale ran six furlongs in 1:09.95 and returned $10.62 for a $2 win ticket. Kay Cooper is the winning trainer for owners Pat Crow, Jill Fabulich and Debbie Pabst.

For Castellanos it was his third winner Saturday and seventh in the last two racing days. He ranks third overall with 52 wins, 11 back of Silvio Amador and four behind Kevin Krigger.

For Kir Royale, the victory was her second straight and third in seven starts at the 2026 meeting. A 4-year-old Washington-bred by Atta Boy Roy, her life mark is 4-1-1 in 14 starts with earnings of $45,275. She earned $11,400 Saturday, an inflated number for $8,000 claimers due to a generous contribution by Jody Peetz.

Eyelight, ridden by Isaias Enriquez, nearly took the field gate to wire, setting splits of :21.49, :44.33, and :56.87, yielding to the winner in the shadow of the wire.

Union Coach, bidding for her fourth straight win, finished third, with Coastal Girl, Perfect Stories, Bobby’s Genie, Bob’s Vai, Social Status, and Tiger Lady rounding out the complete order of finish,

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-3 $28.29
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-3-4 $79.05
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-3-4-7 $63.34
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-5 $33.31
• $0.50 PICK 3 3-5-5 $350.43

Race Replay

The rest of Saturday’s races

1st Race

7-5 betting favorite added a 17th win to leading owner George Todaro’s runaway lead as Subtle Prince with Adrian Castellanos went gate to wire in the 1 mile run in a final time of 1:38.02. Subtle Prince drew off to win by 2+ lengths and is trqained b y Tom Wenzel.

3-1 Big Wheelz with Talliyah Timentwa threatened at the top of the stretch but was clearly 2nd best in the end. Anchor Lifr with rider Blake Nunnally ran 3rd and Island Paradise with Silvio Amador finished 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-3 $7.69
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-3-1 $8.83
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-3-1-5 $5.75

Race Replay

2nd Race

A field of 6 went 6 furlongs and 2nd favorite 2-1 Mister O went straight to the lead under Silvio Amador and set some brisk fractions. At about the quarter pole it looked like Mister O was in total control but the longest shot on the board 16-1 Riding By had been sitting patiently with a terrific ride from Blake Nunnally who swung wide into the stretch and took direct aim at the leader. Riding By did just that inside the 16th pole past Mister O to win clear in a final time of a fast 1:08.60. Riding By races for Harry Richardson and trained by Jack McCartney.

Golden Regal with Talliyah Timentwa was 3rd and Regarding Harry under Adrian Castellanos finished 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-3 $76.35
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-3-4 $189.26
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-3-4-2 $75.80
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-1 $52.98

Race Replay

3rd Race

A late scratch left 8 to go 6 furlongs and odds-on Obsessed with You did not disappoint. Alex Cruz got a good break out of the gate and set all the numbers going 22.12 and then slowed it down to 45.17 for the half. Cruz had plenty left and drew off to win by nearly 4 lengths. Obsessed with You races for PNW Racing and trained by Melissa Ledford. The final time was 1:11.14.

4-1 Boss Girl with Blake Nunnally closed well to get the place, coming from further back was Shady Creek and Adrian Castellanos for 3rd and completing the superfecta was Smoothie Ryder and Talliyah Timentwa.

• $1.00 EXACTA 3-1 $5.15
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 3-1-9 $9.10
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 3-1-9-5 $9.44
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-3 $56.42
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-1-3 $64.57

Race Replay

4th Race

Speed is doing well but so are the stalkers early on Saturday and 7-5 Cantcatchthiscat got a patient ride from Kevin Krigger down on the rail while Count Dalia and Alex Cruz set the pace. Turning for home Cantcatchthiscat stayed on the rail and a nice hole opened up letting the 3-year-old to open up and pull away for the win. Count Dalia battled hard but was passed by Sir Argento and Frank Alvarado for 2nd and Blackberry Jam with Blake Nunnally would then take 3rd by a neck in the final strides.

Cantcatchthiscat is owned by Margaret Root and trained by Frank Lucarelli. Cantcatchthiscat is a Washington bred by Cat Burglar out of Mahee Moon by Malibu Moon and was bred Dr and Mrs Jack Root Jr.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-5 $8.72
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-5-4 $25.07
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-5-4-6 $17.47
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 3-2 $7.37
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-2,3-2 $46.45
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 2-1-2,3-2 $135.06

Race Replay

5th Race

5 went a mile in the 5th and 2nd favorite Army Knife sat just behind the front speed then surge to the lead at the quarter pole and held off Janey for the 3/4 length win. Blake Nunnally had this race measured perfectly to score the win in a final time of 1:38.95. Janey and Adrian Castellanos was a clear 2nd, Sweet Shoppe under Kevin Orozco was an even 3rd while Savita and Alex Cruz were 4th.

Army Knife is owned by Doug A Carlson and Doug C Carlson and trained by Doug Carlson. Army Knife is a Washington bred by Lutes Gift out of Knife River by Smoke Glacken and was bred by the owners.

• $1.00 EXACTA 7-4 $10.28
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 7-4-6 $21.91
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 7-4-6-1 $5.76
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-7 $5.06
• $0.50 PICK 3 3-2-7 $11.02

Race Replay

6th Race

It was the 17th lifetime start for Mocktails Anyone and the 5-year-old maiden finally got her first career win and did it in grand style as Kevin Krigger turned her loose halfway around the turn and she drew off to win by 11 lengths in a final time of 1:15.87 for the 6 1/2 furlongs. Mocktails Anyone races for Two Putts for the Win, Lucarelli Racing and Aaron Bresko and trained by Frank Lucarelli.

Shes a Rare Beauty at 9-1 was a clear 2nd for Silvio Amador, 27-1 Helen Gone and Alex Anaya took 3rd and Da Bel Fiore under Allyssa Morales tired after setting the pace to be 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 8-7 $6.07
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 8-7-4 $23.81
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 8-7-4-6 $13.08
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 7-8 $4.02
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-7-5,8 $14.68

Race Replay

7th Race

The Tote board lit up in the 7th when 6-1 Chokecherry Shari ran 4th as was the lowest odds in the top 4. 15-1 Happy Is with Talliyah Timentwa opened up at the top of the stretch to win by 4 lengths covering the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.14. 36-1 Betty Lute and Blake Nunnally broke 2nd and hung in there to hold the place position and 9-1 River Dance with Alex Cruz came from well off the pace to get 3rd.

Happy Is is owned by Floriberta Trujillo and trained by Marcelino Trujillo.

• $1.00 EXACTA 3-4 $682.52
• $1.00 TRIFECTA 3-4-2 $2989.24
• $1.00 SUPERFECTA 3-4-2-5 $24145.90
• $1.00 DOUBLE 8-3 $33.88
• $1.00 PICK 3 7-8-3 $77.34
• $1.00 PICK 4 4 OF 4 2-7-1,5,8-3 $419.76

Race Replay

8th Race

7 started the 8th race going 6 1/2 furlongs and FortyshadesofTiger sat just behind Draw the Foul ridden by Allyssa Morales in the early going. Jockey Adrian Castellanos then pushed FortyshadesofTiger to engage Draw the Foul at the quarter pole and the battle was on. Approaching the 1/8th pole a 3rd contender emerged in Five Twenty Sunset under Silvio Amador and those three would go to the line in a blanket finish. FortyshadesofTiger would get the win by a head, Five Twenty Sunset got the place and Draw the Foul settled for the show. Favorite Adios Nicanor and Alex Cruz took 4th.

FortyshadesofTiger is owned and trained Sergio Perez and is a Washington bred by Smiling Tiger out of Forty Something by Slew’s Saga and was bred by Dr and Mrs Jack Root Jr.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-8 $44.64
• $1.00 TRIFECTA 5-8-1 $240.30
• $1.00 SUPERFECTA 5-8-1-2 $362.80
• $1.00 DOUBLE 3-7 $14.67
• $1.00 DOUBLE 3-5 $97.85
• $1.00 PICK 3 8-3-5 $254.42

Race Replay

10th Race

The odds-on favorite won easily as Y Vee R was sent to the front by Allyssa Morales and just drew away winning by nearly 8 lengths covering the 6 furlongs in 1:09.53. Y Vee R races for Kevin Chavarria and Howie Gibson and trained by Gibson.

Lord of Light and Silvio Amador ran 2nd, 434-1 Pick a Lane Frank and Talliyah Timentwa got up for 3rd, Mr Fireball ridden by Frank Alvarado flattened out late but held 4th and completing the Super High five was Gentlemen’s Club and Blake Nunnally.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-4 $7.50
• $1.00 TRIFECTA 1-4-2 $143.40
• $1.00 SUPERFECTA 1-4-2-3 $311.40
• $1.00 SUPERHIGHFIVE CarryOver $1493.47
• $1.00 DOUBLE 5-1 $12.44
• $1.00 DOUBLE 5-5 $4.41
• $1.00 PICK 3 5-5-1,5 $76.42
• $1.00 PICK 4 4 OF 4 3-5-5-1,5,8 $1591.48
• $1.00 PICK 5 5 OF 5 1,5,8-3-5-5-1,5,8 $2076.80
• $1.00 PICK 6 6 OF 6 7-1,5,8-3-5-5-1,5,8 $4794.50
• $1.00 PICK 6 CarryOver $7660.21

Race Replay

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