Added distance was no barrier Saturday as Hollywood Harbor continued his domination of local juveniles with a 2 ½-length victory in the $50,000 WTBA Lads Stakes at Emerald Downs.
Winning his third straight stakes, Hollywood Harbor ran one mile in 1 minute, 36 2/5 seconds on a fast track and paid $3, $2.20 and $2.10. Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo rode the winner at 120 pounds for trainer Chris Stenslie of Enumclaw and owners Jody Peetz of Issaquah and John Holmes of Shoreline.
The winner, a Washington-bred by Harbor the Gold-Miss Slewette, set fractions of 22 4/5, 45 4/5. 1:10 1/5 and 1:22 4/5 en route to the victory. The winning time was just one tick off the stakes record of 1:36 1/5 set by Harvard Avenue in 2003, and four ticks better than Gallant Son’s winning time last year.
The only anxious moment was at the break, when Hollywood Harbor was bumped and got away third best in the field of eight. However, Hoonan-Trujillo quickly got Hollywood Harbor to assume control, and they enjoyed a clear lead throughout the race. Hollywood Harbor was four lengths clear into the stretch, and was never seriously threatened.
Hoonan-Trujillo, riding her ninth career stakes winner at Emerald Downs, said Hollywood Harbor simply was too much horse for his rivals.
“I think he intimidates the rest of the horses because he’s such a good horse,” she said. “He’s so good, and these types of good horses don’t come around too often.”
Koala Beach, ridden by Gallyn Mitchell at 116 pounds, chased Hollywood Harbor in second place from flag-fall to finish, but had to settle for the runner-up position. Koala Beach paid $4.40 and $3.40.
It was almost 10 lengths back to Untilifindyou, Ricky Frazier riding at 118, and a $4.20 show payoff.
Hollywood Harbor earned $24,750 to increase his bankroll to $70,101. He has a 3-1-0 record from four starts and is the first horse to sweep, in order, the Strong Ruler, Premio Esmeralda and WTBA Lads Stakes. Next up is the $75,000 Gottstein Futurity on Sept. 26, a 1 1/16-mile test that usually decides honors as the track’s Top Juvenile Male.
Stenslie, in her finest season with 14 victories, gallops Hollywood Harbor and said she was confident the gelding would handle his first two-turn assignment.
“He trained really well, but I was a little concerned,” she said. “He’s a very nice horse, and he has the talent to do it. I’ve been galloping him a little longer in the morning, trying to get him to relax.”
Track notes:
• Troy Stillwell and Seth Martinez rode two winners apiece on the 10-race card. Martinez’ sixth race win aboard Jake La Gold ($4.40) moved Tim McCanna into a 50-49 lead over Doris Harwood in the trainers’ standings.
• Trainer Larry Ross continued his late-season surge with victories by Ore Brain ($7.40) in the second race and Zenovit ($9) in the ninth….
• Miss Georgie Girl, a 2-year-old filly out of 2001 Knights Choice Stakes winner Ippodamia, won a maiden special weight for California-breds Saturday at Del Mar. The sister of Grade I winner Georgie Boy, Miss Georgie Girl is conditioned by 2009 Washington Racing Hall of Fame inductee Kathy Walsh.
• Racing continues 2 p.m. Sunday. The seventh race is the $60,000 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at one mile. Knight Raider, aiming for her third straight stakes win, is the 3-5 morning line choice for trainer Doris Harwood, jockey Ricky Frazier and owner Fab Five Farm.
