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
