Emerald Downs’ stakes action shifts into high gear with this weekend.
The road to the Longacres Mile (Grade 3) begins Sunday, May 21 with the $50,000 Governor’s Stakes for 3-year-olds and up, and the road to the championship Emerald Distaff begins Saturday, May 20 with the $50,000 Hastings Stakes for older fillies and mares.
Dr. Mark Dedomenico’s Prime Engine is the horse to beat in the Governor’s. The 5-year-old Northern Afleet gelding turned in a sharp 2017 debut in an April 22 allowance sprint, racing to a 3¾-length victory over Barkley in 1:01.10 for 5½ furlongs and earning a career-high 95 Beyer. Barkley, Emerald Downs’ 3-year-old champion of 2016, and Mach One Rules, Emerald Downs’ and Washington champion 2-year-old of 2015, also are high caliber sprinters.
The Hastings drew a dozen nominations topped by John & Janene Maryanski and Riverbend Farm’s Invested Prospect, Washington’s champion sophomore filly of 2016 and unbeaten in seven career sprints.
$50,000 Governor’s Stakes 6F, Sunday, May 21
Horse, owner, trainer
Arrom Bear (5-WA) Saratoga West; Jeff Metz
Barkley (4-KY) Rising Star Stable III; Howard Belvoir
Ishaq (4-KY) St. George Stable LLC; Efren Loza Jr.
Mach One Rules (4-WA) R.E.V. Racing LLC; Frank Lucarelli
Prime Engine (5-KY) Mark Dedomenico LLC; Mike Puhich
Sabado Alegre (5-CHI) Copper Water Thoroughbred Ltd.; Craig MacPherson
The Press (4-WA) Howard Belvoir; Howard Belvoir
Togrammashousewego (4-WA) Shirley, Don & Derek MacKenzie; Charles Essex
Viewingthegold (4-WA) Big Bill and Co. & Clemans View Farm; Jose Navarro
===
$50,000 Hastings Stakes 6F, Saturday, May 20
Horse, owner, trainerr
B C Z Middleton (4-KY) William Burns and Rebecca Turcott, Jeff Metz
Citizen Kitty (5-WA) Highlander Racing Stable LLC, Jeff Metz
Dear Lilly (7-FLA) M Dedomenico & N American Tbred Co., Mike Puhich
Elusive Riches (5-CAL) John & Janene Maryanski, Blaine Wright
Invested Prospect (4-WA) John & Janene Maryanski & Riverbend Farm, Blaine Wright
Listo (4-WA) Horse Haven Creek Farm & C Lumley, Rosie Simkins
Little Dume (4-KY) Alice Bamford, Neil Drysdale
Perhaps a Pie (5-FLA) One Horse Will Do, Brewer & Stenslie, Chris Stenslie
Princess Kennedy (4-KY) David Thorner, Tom Wenzel
Protective Shield (4-KY) Tom Grether Farms Inc., Robert Lawrence
Sweet Tashi (4-WA) Debra Pabst and Anne Bustion, Kay Cooper
