Jockey Eliska Kubinova was in great form Friday night at Emerald Downs.
The 25-year-old Czech produced her second three-win day of the meet, capped by a smoking 4 ¼-length victory aboard long shot Spot of Salt in the featured $9,300 Northwest Brewing Purse for 3-year-olds and up.
Spot of Salt, a 6-year-old California-bred gelding making his Emerald Downs debut, ran six furlongs in 1:08.07 and paid $14.80, $3.60 and $2.80. It was the second fastest six furlongs of the meet; Mike Man’s Gold turned in a 1:08.01 clocking on April 26.
Kubinova, fourth in the jockeys’ standings with 28 wins, also had victories on Bid for Pride ($12.80) in race two and Big Bad Brown ($6.00) in race five. Currently riding her third full season at Emerald Downs, Kubinova finished third each of the last two years, setting an apprentice record with 75 wins in 2012 and posting 55 wins last year in her first season as a journeyman.
The well-traveled Spot of Salt also has a penchant for the winner’s circle, compiling a 13-3-4 record in 31 career starts with earnings of $68,247. The Salt Lake gelding was winless in three starts this year at Les Bois Park in Boise, but owner Sam Stephenson, figuring Spot of Salt would prefer the longer stretch run at Emerald Downs, shipped the horse to trainer Nick Lowe.
The plan worked to perfection Friday, as Kubinova made an inside move to the lead and drew off through the lane to win with total authority.
Rainier Ice, the 1-to-2 favorite ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, rallied to finish second and paid $2.20 and $2.10.
Brock Says, ridden by Ronald Richard, overcame a slow start to finish third and paid $2.80. Chaching Pete, Southern Solution and Improviso completed the order of finish.
Zilver and Leadership were scratched earlier in the day.
NOTES: Leading rider Leslie Mawing notched back-to-back route wins on Lil Barbie Doodle ($5.60) in race three and Parker’s Pearl ($8.40) in race four, and is now14-for-47 in races one mile or more at the meet. . .Mawing owns a 54-43 lead over Rocco Bowen in the jockeys’ standings. . .Trainer Neil Knapp continued his recent surge with two more winners including a victory by 11-year-old Fighting City Hall ($7.60) in the seventh race finale. . .Leading trainer Jeff Metz opened the program with a victory by Grantbobbiawish ($12) and leads Frank Lucarelli 35-23 atop the standings. . .Live racing continues Saturday with first post 2 p.m. Fans can start the day early with Breakfast at the Wire from 8-to-10 a.m. just past the finish line in the Wine Club on Track Level.
