Strawberry Topper waited patiently behind a three-horse pace duel and held off a fast-closing Mulcahy for a head victory on Thursday in the $8,900 Ashbaugh Beal Purse for older horses at Emerald Downs.
Ridden by Debbie Hoonan-Trujillo, Strawberry Topper skipped over the fast track in 1 minute. 16 seconds flat and paid $6.60, $3.40 and $2.80. The Old Topper gelding captured his third win at the meet and fifth career victory for trainer Dan Markle and owners Sue and Tim Spooner.
Mulcahy closed in a flurry and just missed the win in his second start since a 33-month layoff and paid $3.40 and $2.40. The Tribunal gelding has had quite a career, most of his races came in 2007, when he captured three straight stakes races at Emerald Downs, including the Emerald Derby, the 3-year-old championship event.
It was 1-¾ lengths back to Inhoc Signo Vinces with Miguel Perez in the saddle. The Malek gelding set a pressured pace and finished third to pay $3.60. A Black Thorn, Anotation and Vickys Fast Boy completed the order of finish.
Strawberry Topper raced off the leaders early and split between his rivals with just a furlong left to run. Able to put away the front-runners in the stretch, Strawberry Topper just had to hold off Mulcahy for the win. The 4-year-old Washington-bred improved his record to 5-2-3 in 15 career starts.
Neither A Black Thorn or Vickys Fast Boy were able to repeat victories after their unprecedented dead-heat last month at Emerald Downs as both horses run for the Tim McCanna barn.
Annotation was also claimed for $7,500 by trainer Mike Chambers for owners John Xitco, Dunn Bar Ranch LLC and Dan Agnew.
News and Notes
Kevin Krigger closed in on the top-five in the jockey standings after winning three consecutive races (2nd: Matty O’ Keefe; 3rd: Allison Ridge; 4th: Czechman Charger). The Virgin Islands-native sits in sixth-place in the standings with 42 wins, just one back from apprentice Pedro Terrero.
Leading rider Ricky Frazier took off the remainder of his mounts after experiencing lightheadedness following the second race. Frazier is probable for Friday’s card…Cinbar Stable claimed Pete’s Glory Girl for $3,500 from the first race. Dale Koler is the new trainer.
Live racing continues Friday with first post at 6 p.m.
