Jake La Gold, last seen winning a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita over two years ago, made a successful return to action Thursday night with a nearly two-length victory in the featured Stanislaw Ashbaugh Purse at Emerald Downs.
Jake La Gold ran six furlongs in 1 minute, 10 3/5 seconds and paid $4.40, $4 and $2.80. Tim McCanna, saddling his second winner of the night, is the trainer and co-owner with breeder Kevin Koentop of San Diego.
Run Royal Reign, a 13-1 long shot ridden by Jose Zunino, ran on strongly to finish second and paid $12.20 and $6.20. It was three lengths back to Passion Lives Here, apprentice Cassie Papineau riding and a $3 show payoff.
Alpakapaluza, the 7-5 second choice, challenged the winner into the stretch, but weakened in the lane to finish fifth.
Jake La Gold hadn’t raced since Feb. 3, 2007, when he broke his maiden in 1:09 4/5 for six furlongs at Santa Anita while defeating Hurry Home Warren, who subsequently won the Harry Henson Stakes at Hollywood Park. Jake La Gold earned $5,445 for the victory to boost his bankroll to $50,525. He has two wins and a second in three starts.
McCanna, the meet’s leading trainer with 43 wins, also won the first race with Guy’s Legacy ($5.60).
Track Notes:
• The remarkable Last Thoughts ($8.20) won her third race in the last 26 days in gate-to-wire fashion under regular rider Seth Martinez. It was the 13th Emerald Downs victory and 31st overall for the 7-year-old British Columbia-bred mare.
• On a night when chalk prevailed and seven of the eight winners paid single digits, first-time starter Shining Una ($104.20) blew up the tote board in the nightcap. Matt Hagerty rode the Washington-bred daughter of Waiting Game for trainer Pete Axmaker.
• The stewards suspended Robert Burney two days (Aug. 15-16) for causing interference on Cookin N Bookin in the third race on July 4.
• Racing continues with first post at 6 p.m. Friday.
