Gottstein next for unbeaten My Heart Awakens | Emerald Downs

My Heart Awakens exploded through the lane for a two-length victory Sunday in the $18,000 Carl’s Jr. Purse for 2-year-olds on Italian Day at Emerald Downs.

Ridden by Javier Matias, My Heart Awakens ran six furlongs in 1:10.03 and paid $9.40, $4.80 and $2.20. David Martinez is the winning trainer for owner/breeder Coal Creek Farm (Barbara Ratcliff) of Bellevue.

Now undefeated in two starts, My Heart Awakens earned $9,900 to increase his bankroll to $20,075, and afterward Ratcliff said the gelding will run in the $65,000 Gottstein Futurity in three weeks.

A Kentucky-bred by Alternation-My Untamed Heart, My Heart Awakens is the younger brother of multiple stakes winner My Untamed Heart and also the first winner for freshman sire Alternation.

Hey Sequoia, ridden by Leonel Camacho-Flores, edged He’s Not Grey By three-quarters of a length for second and paid $4.40 and $2.10. He’s Not Grey, the 3-to-5 betting favorite coming off a debut win in the Emerald Express, finished third and paid $2.10 to show, while Sea N Redd, Touch of Power and Runmissnatalia completed the order of finish.

Although he won convincingly, My Heart Awakens had some anxious moments Sunday. Breaking from the No. 1 post, he ducked in at the break and was last on the backstretch, as Touch of Power and He’s Not Grey were co-leaders through a half-mile in :45.55. My Heart Awakens remained inside on the turn, burst through an opening inside, gained the lead into the stretch and won clear.

Notes

The sire Alternation scored a second win Sunday with Diamonds R ($13) in the $18,500 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies.a bay fillies. Owned by George Todaro and trained by Tom Wenzel, Diamonds R (Alternation-Epitome of a Lady) prevailed by 11 1/2 lengths in 1:10.54 for six furlongs. … Trainer Roddina Barrett book ended the card, winning the opener with Snow Zone ($18.20) and the nightcap with George’s Main Man ($5.20). … Leonel Camacho-Flores recorded his second straight riding double and is fifth overall with 40 wins. … Rocco Bowen and Javier Matias also rode two winners each. … With six days remaining in the 2017 season, Bowen owns a 114-55 lead over Kevin Orozco atop the riders’ standings. … Blaine Wright and Julien Couton are a combined 16-36 (44.4 percent) at the meet including a victory with 5-year-old mare Luck Out ($6) in the sixth race. … Live racing resumes Saturday with first post 2 p.m.z