Heza Witch Doctor pulls out win in Friday feature | Emerald Downs

Heza Witch Doctor rallied strongly in the stretch for a 1 ¾-length victory in the $12,300 Northwest Brewing Company Purse for 3-year-olds and up Friday at Emerald Downs.

June 7, 2015 2:16 am
Heza Witch Doctor and Javier Matias edge clear for a 1 3/4-length victory Friday in the Feature race for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs. Howard Belvoir is the winning trainer for owner Tony Loften.
Heza Witch Doctor and Javier Matias edge clear for a 1 3/4-length victory Friday in the Feature race for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs. Howard Belvoir is the winning trainer for owner Tony Loften.

Heza Witch Doctor rallied strongly in the stretch for a 1 ¾-length victory in the $12,300 Northwest Brewing Company Purse for 3-year-olds and up Friday at Emerald Downs.

Gunned through an opening on the rail, Heza Witch Doctor ran six furlongs in 1:09.65 and paid $5.40, $3.60 and $2.80. Javier Matias rode the winner for trainer Howard Belvoir and owner Tony Loften.

An 8-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Harbor the Gold-Witchery, Heza Witch Doctor is two-for-two at the meet and has won four of his last five starts. His overall record is 10-5-2 in 30 starts with earnings of $56,346, including $6,745 for Friday’s victory.

Smart Copy, ridden by Juan Gutierrez, closed from sixth to finish second and paid $7 and $4.60. Chaching Pete was a neck back in third and $4.40.

Eliska Kubinova, rider aboard Chaching Pete, lodged a foul claim against the winner for alleged interference in the stretch, but the stewards disallowed the claim.

Songandabullet, Dallon’s Gold, He’s Zuberrific, Dynamo Dixie and He’s All Heart completed the order of finish.

 

NOTES: Juan Gutierrez was the lone jockey with two wins and now has ridden at least one winner on 15 straight cards. Gutierrez also is closing in on top spot in the riders’ standings. Julien Couton leads with 26 wins, followed by Gutierrez with 24 and Mawing with 21. . .Congratulations to trainer Steve Bullock, back in the winner’s circle after Won Won Oh Five ($4.40) taggedCharlie’s Gold for a head victory in Friday’s fourth race. For Bullock, it was his first win since 2010 and his 262nd at Emerald Downs. . .The 22nd time was the charm for Tactical Strike ($4), a 4-year-old Cahill Road gelding that scored an easy win under Natasha Coddington in the nightcap. Tactical Strike piled up five wins and five seconds before finally earning his diploma Friday for owner/trainer Charles Essex. . .Nice work by Professor Pollowitz to give out the late $0.50 Pick 4 to the tune of $58.95. Because of scratches, “The Prof” actually had the winning combination twice. . .Live racing continues Saturday with first post 2 p.m. The Belmont Stakes simulcast is between races four and five at 3:50 p.m. The first 3,000 paid admissions receive free $2 win tickets on American Pharoah.