Carrie’s Choice returned from a four-month layoff Thursday and led gate-to-wire in the $11,550 Stanislaw Ashbaugh Purse for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.

With newcomer Jose Contreras aboard, Carrie’s Choice finished first by 1 ¾-lengths and paid $22, $9.80 and $5.40. The 5-year-old Washington-bred by Tribunal ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:17 1/5 on a fast track for trainer Carlos Moreno and owner Maria Isabel Moreno.

Ax Me a Question, a razor-sharp filly ridden by Matt Hagerty, held the place and paid $4 and $3.80. It was another length back to Janjen, Saul Arias riding, and a $3.40 show payoff.

Miss Fast Dancer, the 3-5 betting favorite, chased Carrie’s Choice to midway on the turn, gave way into the lane and finished fifth.

Contreras, who joined the circuit last week from Northern California, gunned Carrie’s Choice to the lead and they set fractions of :22 2/5, :45 1/5 and 1:10 2/5 en route to her sixth career victory in 18 starts. The $6,352 winner’s share pushed her bankroll to $62,961.

Carrie’s Choice has won three of six since being claimed by Moreno last September.

Colors of a Starr and Shansey were scratched earlier in the day.

NOTES: Wasserman’s younger sister—Perfect Finish ($4.20)—broke her maiden under Jennifer Whitaker for owner/trainer Howard Belvoir in the first race…Ricky Frazier rode three winners yet again and now has 91 victories in 48 days of racing. Frazier has one five-win day, five four-win days, eight three-win days and 17 two-win days…One of Frazier’s victories was on the 8-year-old Skyrider ($5.40) in the sixth race. Skyrider has now won at least one race at Emerald Downs each of the last seven seasons…Blaine Wright led the trainers with two wins…Racing continues Friday with first post at 6 p.m.