Emerald Downs | Horse Racing Free Tips

Jockey Juan Gutierrez Becomes All-Time Leading Rider At Emerald Downs

Juan Gutierrez made riding history Wednesday afternoon at Emerald Downs, supplanting Gallyn Mitchell as the track's all-time leading rider.

With a 1¼-length victory on Stay in Grace in the featured $17,000 Muckleshoot Casino Purse, Gutierrez moved one ahead of Mitchell—1,420 to 1,419—to become No. 1 all-time at Emerald Downs. He had tied Mitchell's mark with a victory aboard Mike Operator earlier on the card.

“You know, I was excited the last eighth of a mile when I was pretty sure we would get there,” Gutierrez said in the winner's circle after the victory on Stay in Grace. “This is a great record because it has taken a long time to get there.”

Gutierrez, 51, notched his first Emerald Downs' win April 29, 2000 and has been a mainstay here ever since. He recorded 15 consecutive top-five finishes in the riders' standings during one stretch, including a riding title in 2012 with 117 wins. He also ranks No. 1 in track earnings with over $15 million and No. 3 in stakes victories with 68, including three wins in the Longacres Mile. He ranks second at the current meet with 47 victories through Wednesday.

A 2018 inductee into the Washington Racing Hall of Fame, Gutierrez has 2,031 overall wins, hitting the 2,000 mark aboard Semi Sweet in July.

Gutierrez will be honored with a winner's circle ceremony before Thursday's first race.

Mitchell, the leading rider at Emerald Downs since 2002, retired four years ago and now resides in southern California.

Stay in Grace, a 5-year-old Oregon-bred mare by Understatement, has three wins in her last four starts and improved to 10 for 22 lifetime with earnings of $78,347. Rigoberto Velasquez is the trainer for owners Jerry Carmody and John Sneesby.

In Wednesday's victory, Stay in Grace ($3.20) gained command into the turn and held off B C Z Middleton in the drive, running six furlongs in 1:09.79

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Emerald to Raise Purses by 10%

Officials at Emerald Downs in Auburn, WA, have announced that the purses for all races are to be increased by 10% for the final three weeks of the 2020 racing season, Oct. 14 through Oct. 29.

Through 30 days of live racing, handle is averaging $1,871,799, a 67% increase over last year.

“We have been pleased at the increased betting on our races plus the increased wagering by Washington residents through the advanced deposit companies,” track president Phil Ziegler said.

The purse increase applies to the final seven days of racing this season.

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Emerald Downs Announces 10 Percent Across-The-Board Purse Increase

Emerald Downs has announced a 10 percent purse increase for all races the final three weeks of the 2020 live racing season, Wednesday, Oct. 14 through Thursday, Oct. 29.

Through 30 days of live racing, handle is averaging $1,871,799, up 67% over last year.

According to Track President Phil Ziegler the purse increase is a result of better than expected handle.

“We have been pleased at the increased betting on our races plus the increased wagering by Washington residents through the advanced deposit companies,” Ziegler said.

The purse increase includes all races in the final condition book: Wednesday, Oct. 14, Thursday, Oct. 15, Wednesday, Oct. 21, Thursday, Oct. 22, Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29. For example, a $5,000 maiden claiming race is boosted 10 percent from $6,400 to $7,040, or an open $10,000 claiming race from $11,200 to $12,400.

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Lights, Camera, Action! Coastal Kid Bolts, Leaving Dutton As Gottstein Futurity Winner

Coastal Kid and jockey Alex Cruz appeared to be on their way to a certain victory over 3-10 favorite Dutton in Thursday night's $75,000 Gottstein Futurity at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash., when the 2-year-old son of Coast Guard suddenly bolted to the outside in midstretch.

Jeff Metz, trainer of Coastal Kid, the 9-2 second choice in the wagering, said his jockey speculated that the photo finish lights above the finish line might have spooked the horse, who was making only his second career start.

“Alex (Cruz) said when the lights came on, the horse ducked out,” said Metz. It's unfortunate to lose a race that way.”

There are now a million and one ways to lose a horse race.

The Gottstein Futurity was anything but routine, even before the start, which was delayed more than 10 minutes after Great Gasby got loose at the gate and was subsequently scratched.

Dutton, who came into the Gottstein Futurity unbeaten in two stars by a combined margin of 23 lengths, sped off to quick lead at the start in his first try around two turns. Under jockey Jennifer Whitaker, Dutton went lickity-split: the opening quarter mile in :22.48, the half in :45.49 and six furlongs in 1:09.43.

“My horse is a little high strung and the wait didn't help,” trainer Howard Belvoir said of Dutton, who was wringing wet with sweat when the race began

Nearing the top of the stretch, it looked as though Dutton may have run out of gas.

“Jen said he was tired at the quarter pole, but he dug in,” Belvoir said of the Noosito gelding.

Dutton did fight back against Coastal Kid when the latter loomed to his outside. When Coastal Kid took a right-hand turn, causing Cruz to lose his irons, Dutton went on to the victory in 1:43.15 for 1 1/16 miles after a mile fraction in 1:36.15. Easy Silence finished second, with Coastal Kid hanging on for third, with Cruz riding bareback style.

“It's too bad for the horse that ducked out, that's a tough situation, but I'm very proud of Dutton,” said Belvoir.

Dutton and Jennifer Whitaker winning the Gottstein Futurity

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