Herbie D wins Independence Day feature | Emerald Downs

Herbie D was back in top form Saturday, rolling to a gate-to-wire one-length victory in the $25,000 allowance feature on Independence Day at Emerald Downs.

July 5, 2015 1:48 am
Herbie D and jockey Amadeo Perez hold off Del Rio Harbor and Julien Couton in the $25
Herbie D and jockey Amadeo Perez hold off Del Rio Harbor and Julien Couton in the $25

Herbie D was back in top form Saturday, rolling to a gate-to-wire one-length victory in the $25,000 allowance feature on Independence Day at Emerald Downs.

Plagued by injuries the last two years—first an ankle chip and later a torn suspensory—the 7-year-old gelding exhibited speed and tenacity, the same virtues that carried him to victory in the 2013 Longacres Mile.

Disposing of Disruption on the turn and Del Rio Harbor in the stretch, Herbie D ran six furlongs in 1:09.25 and paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.40. Robert Gilker is the trainer for owners George Robbins and Darcia Dorman.

Afterward, Gilker said the main goal is the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on August 16, but added the$50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap on July 19 would be too quick back. For now, they’ll return to Hastings Racecourse, make sure Herbie D emerges from Saturday’s race in good shape, and plot a course for The Mile.

“The Mile’s what we’re thinking about,” Gilker said.

A 7-year-old B.C.-bred by Orchid’s Devil-Chilli Chines, Herbie D improved to 11-1-1 in 16 starts with earnings of $353,331. The win ended a two-race skid this spring at Hastings, in which he showed speed before wilting in a pair of stakes.

Del Rio Harbor, ridden by Julien Couton, also had a much improved effort Saturday. The track’s champion 2-year-old of 2013 showed good speed to chase Herbie D from flag fall to finish, but was a tad short in the stretch. Del Rio Harbor paid $4.60 and $3.40.

Until You, ridden by Javier Matias, finished third and paid $2.80. Mebossman and Disruption rounded out the order of finish.

Solemnly Swear and I Keep Saying were scratched earlier in the day.

 

 

SANCHEZ TRIUMPHS IN JOCKEYS’ RACE

Diego Sanchez rallied to victory in the historic first annual Emerald Downs’ Jockeys’ Foot Race, a charity event held between Saturday’s fourth and fifth races.

A 23-year-old native of Mexico, Sanchez ran about one-eighth of a mile in :15.33, and lived up to the hype that followed the rider north from Santa Rosa, where he won a similar even last year on the Northern California Fair Circuit.

Apprentice Osvaldo Gonzalez flew late for second place and Julien Couton finished third. Leslie Mawing exploded from the starting gate and appeared destined for victory, but tripped in the final yards and finished last.

Sanchez earned $400 for the victory and Gonzalez $100 for runner-up. Emerald Downs also donated $500 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Also competing were Javier Matias, Jose Zunino, Jake Barton, Francisco Duran, Joe Steiner and Juan Gutierrez. Rocco Bowen served as official starter.

 

 

NOTES: Jeff Metz posted the first three-win day by a trainer this year at Emerald Downs, sweeping the fourth, fifth and sixth races with Krazy for Kugel ($7.60), Redsolocup ($4.80) and Jazz Queen ($4.20). Metz also had two wins Friday and now leads Howard Belvoir (30-15) in the trainers’ standings. . .Juan Gutierrez, Jake Barton and Rocco Bowen rode two winners each. . .Gold Rush Dancer ($5.60) prevailed in the $20,500 maiden special weight for 2-year-olds, running five furlongs in :58.63 under Julien Couton. A Private Goldcolt, Gold Rush Dancer races for John Parker and trainer Bill Tollett. . .Hearts Harbor ($2.60) prevailed as the odds-on choice in the Saturday opener, accounting for $17,844 of $19,524 in the show pool. . .Also in the first, jockey Jorge Rosales escaped injury after being unseated when his mount Sneakin Cat ducked out sharply in mid-stretch. . .Live Like Mike ($3.80) and Misty Warrior ($4.40) dead-heated for the win in race two, the 3-year-old fillies both hitting the wire in 1:39.49 for one mile. . .In race five, Tribal Waters made his first start for Emerald Racing Club and had a troubled trip, getting sawed off at the eighth pole to lose all chance in the race won by Redsolocup ($4.80) in 1:04.10 for 5 ½ furlongs. . . 2014 Longacres Mile winnerStryker Phd worked five furlongs in a bullet :58.20 Saturday morning in a tune-up for the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap on Sunday, July 19. . .Live racing continues Sunday with the $50,000 Boeing Handicap for fillies and mares at one mile. Kikisoblu, attempting to sweep the first three stakes in the division, is the 2-to-1 morning line favorite.