Unique reflection and leading rider Juan Gutierrez led all the way and notched a one-length victory Friday in the feature race for older fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.
The 6-to-5 betting favorite, Unique Reflection sped six furlongs in 1:10.58 on a fast track and paid $4.60, $3 and $2.60. Blaine Wright is the winning trainer for owners Unique Six.
A 4-year-old Washington-bred filly by Katowice, Unique Reflection set fractional times of :22.29, :45.01 and :57.25 en route to her first victory of the year.
Wings of Pegasus, ridden by Rocco Bowen, finished with a flourish but ran out of ground and finished second. Wings of Pegasus paid $5 and $3.
Bella Angelina, ridden by Javier Matias, held third and paid $2.80 for show. She’s Tops and Lady Roulette completed the order of finish.
Gutierrez rode three winners on the seven-race program and increased his lead to 81-74 over Leslie Mawing atop the jockeys’ standings. Gutierrez has two four-win days and four three-win days at the meeting.
Wright could enjoy a big weekend as Hudson Landing is the third choice at 5-to-1 in Sunday’s $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3).
NOTES: Larry & Veralene Hillis’ consistent Up Your Plan ($4.40) became the meet’s sixth four-time winner with a head victory in race four. The 5-year-old homebred mare by Moon Up T.C. is 4-4-0 in nine starts at the meet for trainer Jose Navarro*Javier Matias rode two winners and moved past Geoffrey Cooper to 16th place all-time with 263 wins at Emerald Downs. Matias ride Winning Machine in Sunday’s $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3)*Frank Lucarelli led the trainers with two wins and opened a 39-34 lead on Tim McCanna in the standings. Lucarelli has both Winning Machine and Gallant Son in The Mile*Live racing continues Saturday with first post 2:15 p.m. The $50,000 (est.) WTBOA Lads Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings is featured with Swag Stables’ Mike Man’s Gold the 3-to-1 morning line favorite in the 6-½ furlong stakes. Also Saturday, Del Mar has a Pick 6 carryover of $92,681 on races five through 10.
