The track’s all-time leading earner added the latest chapter to a remarkable career Sunday as Wasserman scored a stirring victory in the $13,800 Alaskan Brewing Co. Purse before a full house on Fireworks Spectacular night at Emerald Downs.
Patiently handled by jockey Javier Matias, Wasserman rallied from fifth place for a three-quarter-length triumph in 1 minute, 15.22 seconds for 6-½ furlongs on a fast track. The victory snapped a 13-race losing streak for the 9-year-old gelding, dating back to a win in the 2009 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic.
The second choice in the wagering, Wasserman paid $6.60, $4.80 and $3.20. The 2008 Longacres Mile winner earned $7,950 to push his career bankroll to $552,084, fifth best all-time for a Washington-bred. His $528,017 earned at Emerald Downs ranks No. 1 all-time.
Owned, bred and trained by Howard Belvoir, Wasserman has an 11-13-8 mark in 61 career starts, including an 11-for-50 record at Emerald Downs.
Zagreus, ridden by Juan Gutierrez, forged to the lead in deep stretch but was unable to hold off Wasserman and settled for second place. Zagreus paid $7.20 and $4.20.
Rescue Plan, ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, finished third and paid $4.40.
Warrior Jon, Olympic Lights and 6-to-5 favorite Cat On Base completed the order of finish.
NOTES: The meet’s two leading riders, Leslie Mawing and Joe Crispin, dominated the 10-race card with three wins each, and Mawing maintained his slim 51-50 lead on Crispin atop the jockeys standings…9-year-old geldings swept the late daily double as Brainstrom ($10) followed Wasserman’s victory with a nose triumph in the 10th race finale. The 2-2 daily double on the 9-year-olds paid $29.60 or a $2 wager.
Brainstorm tripped on the gallop-out, tossing Crispin, but both horse and jockey were fine and had their pictures taken in the winner’s circle…Gallant Son ($11.20) prevailed by a neck in the $77,000-added Robert K. Kerlan Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at Hollywood Park. Ridden by Mike Smith for trainer Frank Lucarelli and owners Chris Randall of Bellevue and Nick Rossi of Las Vegas, the 2008 Gottstein Futurity champion ran six furlongs on turf in 1:08.51.
Gallyn Mitchell, disqualified in two races Sunday, June 26, won’t serve any suspension days, the stewards ruled. Mitchell was held blameless for his ride on the 2-year-old colt Silver Boxcar, a first-time starter that finished third and was placed sixth. Mitchell did receive a two-day suspension for his ride in the $50,000 Pepsi-Cola Handicap for 3-year-olds in which his mount, Rainier Ice, finished first but was placed fourth for interference in deep stretch. Mitchell, however, chose to pay a $500 fine rather than serve the days, a new option jockeys have the first time they receive days at a race meeting in Washington.
Live racing continues Monday with Fourth of July racing at 2:15 p.m. The 10-race card features the $25,000 Strong Ruler Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings and the $25,000 Knights Choice Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.
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