Go With Gusto takes Friday feature | Horse Racing

Perhaps it’s the fresh Northwest air or the dirt-racing surface, but there’s no denying Go With Gusto thrives at Emerald Downs.

May 13, 2012 9:35 pm

Perhaps it’s the fresh Northwest air or the dirt-racing surface, but there’s no denying Go With Gusto thrives at Emerald Downs.

A rare New York-bred seen in these parts, Go With Gusto made it two straight wins at the meeting and eight-for-20 at Emerald Downs with an easy 2-¾ -length victory Friday in the $11,100 feature race for 3-year-olds and up.

With Joe Crispin riding, Go With Gusto ran one mile in 1:36.30 on a fast track and paid $5.40, $3.40 and $2.80. Roy Lumm is the trainer for the Get Lucky Stable.

Go With Gusto swept past Swiss Exploit and Hard Slider into the stretch, and drew off quickly to win with complete authority. It was the 11th win in 50 starts overall for the 7-year-old Yonaguska gelding, and his first in four tries around two turns. The $6,105 winner’s share increased Go With Gusto’s career earnings to $117,334.

Swiss Exploit, ridden by Javier Matias, was clearly second best and paid $3.80 and $2.40. It was three lengths back to third-place finisher Hard Slider and a $3.60 show payoff.

Swiss Exploit and Hard Slider alternated on the lead in fractions of :24.49, :48.19 and 1:12.09, with Swiss Exploit assuming command on the last turn. Bidding for his fourth straight victory, Swiss Exploit opened a one-length advantage turning for home, but was overtaken by Go With Gusto into the lane.

Shamundi, Ricky Ricky and Dare Me Devil completed the order of finish.

Crispin rode three straight winners on the seven-race card*his third multiple win day in the last four racing days*and leapfrogged into first place with 14 wins. Eliska Kubinova and Leonel Camacho-Flores are tied for second with 12 wins each.

NOTES: Trainer Tim Harder improved to 3-for-3 at the meet as Marquetching ($15.20) returned from a five-month break to lead gate-to-wire in the fifth race*Crispin’s other two wins were aboard Marquetching and Zippin E ($2.80) in the seventh*The $2 Daily Double combining Marquetching and fourth race winner Bumpy ($16.60) returned a whopping $995.40*largest of the season*Live racing continues Saturday with a nine-race card at 2:15 p.m.