Mach One Rules chosen 2017 Horse of the Meeting | Emerald Downs honors

R.E.V. Racing’s Mach One Rules was voted Horse of the Meeting, Top Handicap Horse and Top Washington-bred as Emerald Downs announced its 2017 season honors on closing day of the track’s 22nd season.

A 4-year-old gelding by Harbor the Gold-Felice the Cat, Mach One Rules won three stakes and posted meet-fastest times at 6½ furlongs and 1 1/16 miles. Trained by Frank Lucarelli, Mach One Rules also finished runner-up in the 82nd running of the $200,000 Longacres Mile (Grade 3) won by Gold Rush Dancer in 1:33.85.

Trainer Blaine Wright turned in one of the greatest seasons in track history – finishing first in wins (53), stakes wins (10) and earnings ($819,232) – the latter second highest in track history – while capturing his second straight title. Wright also established a single-season record for win percentage (35.8).

Jockey Rocco Bowen won his second straight riding title, piling up a career-high 126 wins – 16 more than last year – while finishing 61 wins clear of runner-up Julien Couton in the standings. Bowen dominated the 72-day meet with 38 multiple-win days, including a meet-best five wins Saturday, September 16, and easily finished first in earnings with $1,224,068.

Emerald Downs Derby winner Riser and Washington Oaks champ Little Dancer were voted Top 3-Year-Old and 3-Year-Old Filly respectively, while Citizen Kitty won three stakes races including the Emerald Distaff and was a unanimous choice for Top Older Filly or Mare.

Bella Mia, also a triple stakes winner in 2017, captured honors as Top 2-Year-Old Filly, while Elliott Bay won two stakes including the Gottstein Futurity and earned honors as Top 2-Year-Old Colt or Gelding.

Emmett Park, four-for-four at the meet, was the choice for Top Sprinter and Wine At Nine was 6-1-1 in nine starts and took honors for Top Claimer.

John Parker led the owners’ standings in both wins (22) and earnings ($329,297), and also bagged the Northwest’s top racing prize with homebred Gold Rush Dancer in the Longacres Mile.

Emerald Downs 2017 season honors

Horse of the Meeting: Mach One Rules (4/WA)

Top Washington-bred: Mach One Rules (4/WA)

Top Older Horse: Mach One Rules (4/WA)

Top Sprinter: Emmett Park (6/KY)

Top Older Filly or Mare: Citizen Kitty (5/WA)

Top 3-Year-Old Male: Riser (3/OH)

Top 3-Year-Old Filly: Little Dancer (3/KY)

Top Juvenile Male: Elliott Bay (2/WA)

Top Juvenile Filly: Bella Mia (2/WA)

Top Claimer: Wine At Nine (5/KY)

Race of the Meeting: Longacres Mile

Leading Jockey: Rocco Bowen (126)

Leading Jockey Stakes Wins: Julien Couton (6)

Leading Trainer: Blaine Wright (53)

Leading Trainer Stakes Wins: Blaine Wright (10)

Leading Owner: John E. Parker (22)

Top Riding Achievement: Rocco Bowen

Top Training Achievement: Blaine Wright

Durkan Award: Joe Toye

Lindy Award: Javier Matias

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Emerald Downs Horse of the Meeting

2017-Mach One Rules (WA)

2016-O B Harbor (ORE)

2015-Stryker Phd (WA)

2014-Stryker Phd (WA)

2013-Herbie D (BC)

2012-Class Included (KY)

2011-Noosa Beach (WA)

2010-Noosa Beach (WA)

2009-Assessment (KY)

2008-Wasserman (WA)

2007-The Great Face (WA)

2006-Flamethrowintexan (FL)

2005-No Giveaway (WA)

2004-Demon Warlock (WA)

2003-Youcan’ttakeme (WA)

2002-Flying Notes (KY)

2001-Makors Mark (WA)

2000-Edneator (WA)

1999-No Curfew (WA)

1998-Wild Wonder (KY)

1997-Kid Katabatic (BC)

1996-Name for Norm (WA)