It’s a perfect night at Emerald Downs

Published 9:26 am Saturday, June 27, 2015

For the Reporter

Perfect Night refused to lose Friday night at Emerald Downs.

Wearing blinkers for the first time in his 16-race career, Perfect Night led virtually all the way for a 1 ¼-length victory over Hornfel in the $18,800 Peter Von Reichbauer Purse for 3-year-olds and up. Ridden by Jennifer Whitaker, Perfect Night ran 6½ furlongs in 1:16.72 and paid $4.40, $2.80 and $2.20.

Trained by Howard Belvoir and co-owned by Belvoir and Dixie Hitchcock, Perfect Night snapped a 13-race losing streak that dated to June 1, 2013. The 6-year-old gelding has been a steady performer in the higher claiming ranks, however, compiling six seconds and four thirds during the streak.

Hornfel, ridden by Rocco Bowen, rallied from last to finish second and paid $7.80 and $3.20. It was a nose back to Orito, ridden by Julien Couton, and a $2.20 show payoff.

Zoomzoomania and Prince of Silver completed the order of finish; Pray Hard was scratched.

A full brother to Wasserman, the track’s all-time leading earner with $575,024, Perfect Night (Cahill Road-Share the Knight) is 2-6-4 in 16 lifetime starts with earnings of $57,724.

Belvoir, No. 3 all-time with 671 wins at Emerald Downs, and Whitaker, No. 1 among women riders with 451 career wins here, are one of the track’s most successful combinations. Their victory Friday was their 318th win at Emerald Downs.

Notes

Jeff Metz had his second straight two-win day and his seventh of the season to extend his lead to 25-14 over Blaine Wright in the trainers’ standings. Metz won with River District ($6.60) in race four and Surprise Sale ($3.40) in the seventh race finale. River District became the meet’s fifth triple winner — three of which are trained by Metz — while Surprise Sale improved to 10-for-23 lifetime. … Gallyn Mitchell and Joe Steiner rode two winners each. … Mitchell ranks No. 1 all-time with 1,398 wins at Emerald Downs. … Nice work by trainer Rosie Simkins to post a first, second and third with her three starters Friday including a win by St Nicholas Becky ($13.40) in the fifth race. … Happy 64th birthday to former jockey Bryson Cooper, who reports father-in-law and Washington Hall of Fame trainer Jim Penney is out of the hospital and undergoing physical therapy for the fractured pelvis he sustained two weeks ago. … Trainer Diane Garrison and Savario Farm broke into the win category as Magestic Cat ($4) rallied to win Friday’s opener.  … And finally, happy birthday to lifetime Auburn resident Rits Hamamura, mother of the late equine photographer Duane Hamamura. … Live racing continues Saturday with a 10-race program at 2 p.m.