Dare Me Devil shook off Rezar into the stretch and held off Wasserman late for a one-length victory Saturday in the featured $13,750 Coca-Cola Purse for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs.
Ridden by Rocco Bowen, Dare Me Devil ran one mile in 1:36.67 and paid $5.40, $3.60 and $2.80. Rigoberto Velasquez trains the winner for owners Rancho Viejo and Jerry Carmody.
Wasserman, with regular rider Jennifer Whitaker aboard, rallied to finish second and paid $8.20 and $4.40. For the 11-year-old gelding, it was his best showing in six starts this season, and the $2,750 second-place check increased the gelding’s track record earnings to $568,148.
Ugottabcatty nosed out Rezar for third place and paid $3.20 for show.
Rezar, the leader through fractions of :24.40, :47.48, and 1:11.34, weakened to finish fourth, and was followed by Lesson in Deceit and Moment of Weakness. Faster Than Duke was scratched earlier in the day.
A 5-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Devil On Ice, Dare Me Devil has a 7-6-6 record in 26 career starts with earnings of $52,989. He won five races in 2012 including back-to-back scores at Emerald Downs on June 23 and July 15.
NOTES: Juan Gutierrez rode three winners on the nine-race card and increased his lead to 56-52 over Isaias Enriquez atop the jockeys’ standings. Gutierrez already has five days with at least three wins this season*Trainer Frank Lucarelli had a big day with three wins*two at Emerald Downs, one at Pleasanton. At Emerald, Lucarelli scored with first-time starter Spot On Babe ($11.20) in a $17,850 purse for maiden 3-year-old fillies, and Songandabullet ($13.60) in a $13,225 pot for maiden 3-year-old colts and geldings. At Pleasanton, Candy for Debbie scored a major upset for Lucarelli and owner Ron Maus as the 5-year-old Candy Ride gelding romped in a $28,000 allowance test for 3-year-olds and up. Candy for Debbie, who defeated both Kooky Saluki and Rocky’s Quest last year at Emerald Downs, also scored a 13-to-1 triumph May 23 at Betfair Hollywood Park*Also Saturday, the Lucarelli-trained Stormy Lucy finished fifth in the $150,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G2) won by Schiaparelli ($4.20)* Trainer Bill Tollett also had two wins Saturday at Emerald Downs*2010 Seattle Slew Handicap winner Newfound Man ($4) got back on the winning track with a three-quarter-length victory in Saturday’s sixth race at Emerald Downs*Jockey Cassie Papineau has packed her tack and returned to Arizona. Papineau, 25, had nine wins at the meeting*Live racing continues Sunday with first post 2:15 p.m. Exclusive Diva is the even-money morning line favorite and E Z Kitty the 6-to-5 second choice in the $50,000 Boeing Handicap for older fillies and mares at one mile*Sunday’s card also marks the midway point of the 75-day meeting.
