For the Reporter
In case anyone hasn’t noticed, Jeff Metz loves to win races at Emerald Downs.
With two training titles in the trophy case and a third on its way, Metz will become the only conditioner not named Tim McCanna to finish atop the trainers’ standings three consecutive years here. For Metz, winning races is his first priority but winning titles is a close second.
“When I first came to Emerald Downs a couple years ago, my goal was to finish in the top three,” Metz said. “Then I won my first title and figured out what kind of horses fit here. This year however, I didn’t think I had the numbers to win another title, but new ownerships and new horses helped build the stable back up again.”
While Metz has years to reach McCanna’s 10-title mark, McCanna’s single-season record of 66 wins set in 2008 isn’t safe. Leading Frank Lucarelli 57-31, Metz is ready to make a hard charge at McCanna’s record with a mere six racing days left in the 2015 season. With nine wins to tie and 10 wins for glory, Metz says this is as good a time as any to make a run.
“It’s funny, I thought it was a little far-fetched a couple weeks ago but then I went six-for-six,” Metz said. “Then it was like, ‘boy I’m not too far way.’ Now I kind of equate it to chasing the home run record. You have to at least take a shot at it while you’re this close.”
Metz will take a big shot, actually. Over the next three racing days, Metz has entered 23 horses across 19 of the 27 races carded. Metz said he expects similar numbers on closing weekend.
All the same, if the single-season record isn’t meant to be, Metz still has a few other achievements within his grasp. While McCanna holds the record for largest margin of victory when he finished 20 wins ahead in 2008, that mark looks to be in serious jeopardy. A 26-win lead with only two weeks remaining, Metz only needs to keep the status quo to break McCanna’s mark.
Furthermore, Metz’ syndicate Saratoga West has all but clinched leading owner honors, which would be the first three-peat for an owner in track history. Saratoga West currently has an 18-to-12 advantage over John Parker.
Nevertheless, Metz wants win No. 67. And while McCanna accomplished his feat in 91 racing days, Metz doesn’t want an asterisk placed next to whatever his win total may be after the 70-day race meet.
“I don’t think there has to be an explanation for why one number might be bigger than another. It is what it is,” Metz said. “I’ve positioned it to where I’ve got some new faces in the barn to make one big push at the record, but if I don’t get it than the numbers will be what they are.”
And lest ye believe Metz only wins with claimers and maiden claimers, he combined with jockey Jose Zunino for a $49.40-surprise Redsolocup in Sunday’s $50,000 Chinook Pass Sprint Stakes on Washington Cup day.
Record or no record, Metz plans to split his training duties between Golden Gate Fields and Turf Paradise after the season. At Golden Gate, Metz could have as many as 30 horses with the remaining 12 or so headed to Arizona. His plans for 2016, however, remain unchanged.
“I’ve already bought a few Washington-bred yearlings and I’ll be ready for Emerald Downs next year,” Metz said. “I’m sure we’ll give it our best shot for a fourth title.”
Stryker Phd keeps adding to his resume
Stryker Phd capped his second straight perfect season with Sunday’s hard-fought victory over Noosito in the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic. The winning time for 1 1/16 miles, 1:40.75, is fastest in the race since Demon Warlock’s 1:40 3/5 in 2004.
Owned by Jim and Mona Hour and trained by Larry and Sharon Ross, the 6-year-old Washington-bred gelding is a cinch for several awards when season honors are announced next week, including his second consecutive Horse of the Meeting title.
Here is a partial list of Stryker Phd achievements:
• First horse to win Longacres Mile twice at Emerald Downs, and fourth horse overall.
• Eight straight stakes wins (2013-15) ties track record set by Stopshoppingdebbie (2013-14).
• Eight route stakes wins, No. 1 all-time at Emerald Downs.
• $29,190 per start, No. 1 all-time at Emerald Downs.
• $515,651 overall earnings, No. 8 in Washington history; $467,046 in Emerald Downs earnings, No. 3 all-time.
• $195,000 in 2015 earnings, No. 6 all-time single-season at Emerald Downs.
Claiming game way up in 2015
Claiming activity continues to soar at Emerald Downs in 2015.
With six days left in the 70-day meet, a total of 187 claims for an aggregate $1,214,500 have been made. That’s a 90 percent increase from last year’s totals of 99 claims and $653,500 on the same date.
The most expensive claim is $40,000 for 5-year-old I Think So by Jeff Stoddard and Dan Markle on May 24, and 16 horses have been claimed for $15,000 and 14 horses claimed for $12,500.
Balcom Exercise Rider of the Year
Congratulations to Brad Balcom on being named Emerald Downs/Quarter Chute Café Exercise Rider of the Year for 2015. Chosen by head outrider Donny Smith, the award includes a special plaque designed by Washington Hall of Fame Jockey Vicky Baze and a $200 cash prize.
A 49-year-old native of Colfax, Balcom exercises horses for trainer Robbie Baze, and also works race days and nights as an assistant starter on the gate crew. Balcom, whose father Cliff trained the great Washington-bred Zulu Whiz, plans to head home to Wenatchee when the season ends Sept. 27.
Balcom is the second winner of Exercise Rider of the Year. Alfonso Velador won the inaugural award in 2014.
Finish lines
Weekly Honors #22 Jockey – Leonel Camacho-Flores; Trainer- Rigoberto Velasquez; Owner – R.E.V Racing; Groom – Matt Johnson (Arturo Arboleda); WTBOA Washington-bred – Madame Pele (Char Clark Thoroughbreds); Exercise Rider of the Year – Brad Balcom. … Only four jockeys won races on Sunday’s 11-race card: Camcho-Flores with five wins, and Jose Zunino , Juan Gutierrez and Leslie Mawing riding two winners each. … Both of Gutierrez’ wins were in Washington Cup races, his record 17th and 18th WA Cup victories. Mawing ranks second with 10 WA Cup wins. … Jim Penney leads trainers with nine Washington Cup victories, including a record three with Madame Pele. … Mach One Rules’ 83 Beyer in the Captain Condo Stakes was easily highest this season by a 2-year-old and biggest by an Emerald Downs’ 2-year-old since Prime Engine debuted with an 83 last year. … Sunday’s EmD card is only nine races, meaning fans can enjoy the card and be home in plenty of time for most of the Seahawks/Packers tilt. … Auburn Handicap winner Fooled Again runs in a $50,000 allowance/optional claimer at one mile Sunday at Los Alamitos. Owned by Todd and Shawn Hansen , the 3-year-old Scat Daddy colt is now trained by Craig Dollase. … 6-year-old mare Jo B With Thee is alive and well in Alberta, and runs in a $2,500 claimer Sunday at Lethbridge.
