Newfound Gold sped to the early lead and held on late for a 1 ¼-length victory Saturday in the featured Rose Family Purse for 3-year-olds at Emerald Downs.

With Matt Hagerty riding at 121 pounds, Newfound Gold ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1 minute, 15 4/5 secnds on a fast track and paid $22.40, $6.80 and $5.80. Vince Gibson, saddling his third winner in two days , is the trainer for owner Bill Bomar, who claimed the gelding for $12,500 two races back.

Amphitrites Gift, the 2-1 betting favorite ridden by Robert Burney at 120 lbs., was denied his third straight victory, but finished well for second place and paid $4.20 and $3.60.

Itsafineredwine, Ricky Frazier riding at 117 pounds, was a head farther back in third and paid $4.80.

Hustled to the lead by Hagerty, Newfound Gold set fractions of :22 2/5, :45 and 1:09 1/5, led by two lengths into the stretch, and held off the closers in the final furlong. The 3-year-old Kentucky-bred by Newfoundland has a 2-4-1 record in eight starts with earnings of $20,321.

Frazier and Francisco Duran rode two winners apiece on the nine-race card, and Frazier has opened a 34-32 lead on apprentice Pedro Terrero in the jockeys’ standings. Frazier, bidding for his fifth title in seven years, has ridden at least one winner on 10 straight cards.

News and Notes

• Two of the first four races for 2-year-olds have been won by the longest shot on the board, including a victory by Kate Winsalot ($14.60) in Saturday’s second race. The Oregon-bred filly by Ochoco ran 4 ½ furlongs in :52 2/5 to give trainer Ryland Harwood his first Emerald Downs victory.

• There were five more double-digit winners Saturday, and 12 of the last 17 winners have paid at least $10…Owner-trainer Calvin Bagby chalked up his first career Emerald Downs victory as I Luva Popcorn ($11) prevailed in the nightcap under Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo.

• Live racing continues 2 p.m. Sunday with a 10-race

• Saratoga Boot is the 2-1 morning line favorite in the $18,000 allowance feature for 3-year-olds at 6 ½ furlongs.