Exact Timing, Alex Cruz, and Justin Evans have been the large winners as Emerald Downs’ wrapped up its twenty ninth season of stay racing Sunday afternoon.
Exact Timing–undefeated with three stakes wins–was voted 2024 Horse of the Assembly, turning into solely the fourth 2-year-old and the primary 2-year-old filly to win the observe’s prime award. She additionally took honors as High 2-12 months-Outdated Filly and High Washington Bred.
A darkish bay by Dialed In-Peaceable Nation, Exact Timing was bred by Rick and Debbie Pabst, owned by Blue Ribbon Racing 23, skilled by Kay Cooper, and ridden by Kevin Orozco. Exact Timing was the meet’s lone triple stakes winner and completed No. 1 in earnings with $91,050. She’s the eighth Washington Bred in 11 years voted Horse of the Assembly.
Jockey Alex Cruz loved yet one more stellar season, main in wins (64) and earnings ($847,354) and profitable a report fifth straight driving title. Cruz, 31, turns into the primary jockey in state historical past with 5 consecutive titles on the identical observe.
Justin Evans was the dominant coach, taking his second straight title with 63 wins and amassing the very best win proportion (32.4) of any main coach in Emerald Downs historical past. His win complete is sixth highest in observe historical past, and his 1.14 common wins per card is second highest in observe historical past.
Evans additionally was the meet’s main owner–teaming with Jeff Rakoczy for 17 wins–and skilled 4 of the meet’s prime horses: Arma d’Oro (High Handicap Horse), Neiman (High Sprinter), Surprsinglyperfect (High Claimer), and Colonel Ludlow (High 2-12 months-Outdated Colt or Gelding).
Tom Wenzel led all trainers with 5 stakes wins and conditioned a pair of champions: Aloha Breeze (High Older Filly or Mare), Lapush (High 3-12 months-Outdated Filly). Aloha Breeze gained the Washington State Legislators Stakes and Emerald Distaff by 17 ¾ lengths and is the primary filly or mare in Emerald Downs historical past to win titles at ages 2, 3, and 4. A 4-year-old by The Issue owned by George Todaro, Aloha Breeze is 7-1-0 in 10 profession begins at Emerald Downs with 5 stakes victories and $183,250 in earnings.
Carlos Montalvo, common rider on Aloha Breeze and Lapush, was the meet’s main stakes rider.
Dynamic Secret, 2 3/4-length winner of the Muckleshoot Derby, was voted High 3-12 months-Outdated Colt or Gelding.
The 89th operating of the Longacres Mile gained by 5 Star Basic was 2024 Race of the Assembly. Owned by Ken Alhadeff, skilled by Grant Forster, and ridden by Joe Bravo, 5 Star Basic caught Clovisconnection within the remaining bounce to develop into solely the fifth two-time Mile winner and posting a fifth straight prime three end within the state’s greatest race.
Coast Guard was the meet’s main sire with 20 wins, one forward of perennial kingpin Harbor the Gold.
Claiming exercise was scorching and heavy all through the season with a report 264 horses red-tagged for an mixture $1,849,250, eclipsing the previous mark of 242 set in 2019.
Emerald Downs 2024 Season Honors
Horse of Assembly: Exact Timing
Washington-bred: Exact Timing
Older Horse: Arma d’Oro
Older Filly or Mare: Aloha Breeze
3-12 months-Outdated Colt or Gelding: Dynamic Secret
3-12 months-Outdated Filly: Lapush
2-12 months-Outdated Colt or Gelding: Colonel Ludlow
2-12 months-Outdated Filly: Exact Timing
Sprinter: Neiman
Claimer: Surprsinglyperfect
Race of Assembly: Longacres Mile (5 Star Basic)
Main Jockey Wins: Alex Cruz, 64
Main Jockey Stakes Wins: Carlos Montalvo, 4
Main Jockey Earnings: Alex Cruz, $847,354
Main Apprentice Jockey: Manuel Americano, 16
Main Coach: Justin Evans, 63
Main Coach Stakes Wins: Tom Wenzel, 5
Main Coach Earnings: Justin Evans, $835,574
Main Proprietor: Rakoczy Racing LLC and Justin Evans, 17
Main Proprietor Earnings: Rakoczy Racing LLC and Justin Evans, $211,283
Main Horse Wins: tie-Mary Walker and Surprsinglyperfect, 4
Main Horse Stakes Wins: Exact Timing, 3
Main Horse Earnings: Exact Timing, $91,050
Using Achievement: Alex Cruz first in Washington historical past with 5 consecutive titles
Coaching Achievement: Justin Evans report single-season win proportion whereas profitable second straight title
Martin Durkan Award: Miguel Hernandez, Anne Knowledge
Lindy Award: Luis Reyes
Main Sire Wins: Coast Guard, 20
Claims: 264 for mixture $1,849,250
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