For the Reporter
Kaabraaj etched his name in the record book Saturday with a spectacular performance at Emerald Downs.
In winning the $21,800 feature race for 3-year-olds and up, the 4-year-old Washington-bred gelding ran six furlongs in 1:06.86 to smash the track and state record of 1:07 shared by Atta Boy and Noosa Beach.
Kaabraaj, third choice in the wagering, paid $9.20, $3.60 and $3.20.
Juan Gutierrez – also enjoying a big day – was the winning rider for trainer Jeff Metz and owners Horseplayers Racing Club 240, Woodway Stable and Warlock Stables.
Gutierrez won four straight races Saturday, sweeping the fifth thru eighth with victories aboard Native Causeway, Fooled Again, Hoody and the feature race win on Kaabraaj. No. 2 all-time with 1,228 wins at Emerald Downs, Gutierrez also rode two winners Friday night.
Kaabraaj dueled with Betrbegone through a quarter-mile in :21.58 before kicking clear into the turn, running a half-mile in :43.47. He was three lengths clear past mid-stretch and had plenty in reserve to hold off Prime Engine.
Metz said Kaabraaj might have enjoyed a fitness advantage Saturday, but still was awed by the performance.
“He was the only horse who had a race under his belt this year, but he got going into a nice rhythm and nice stride,” Metz said. “I gave Juan (Gutierrez) the green light to ride the race the way he wanted, and he broke great and went on with it.
“It was a great performance. Hats off to that little horse.”
Prime Engine, ridden by Joe Steiner, was clearly second best and paid $4 and $3.60. It was 3 ¼ lengths back to Betrbegone, who held third under Javier Matias, and paid $6.60.
Trick Or Retreat, Thetrailerguy, Its Allabout Jerry, Grinder Sparksaglo, Spit and Shine and Noosito completed the order of finish. Noosito, the 11-to-10 betting favorite, was forwardly placed early, but weakened in the stretch and faded to last under Isaias Enriquez.
A Washington-bred by Abraaj-Kaaaching, Kaabraaj was claimed for $10,000 in his career debut last June and has turned in several big efforts, including a 25-1 allowance victory at Golden Gate Fields. Most recently, Kaabraaj finished second in an April 10 allowance race in which O B Harbor just missed the track record at 5 ½ furlongs.
Saturday’s race was a prep for the $50,000 Governor’s Stakes on May 22, a 6½- furlong event that features O B Harbor and three-time defending state champion sprinter Absolutely Cool.
Stryker Phd, who figures to join the older horse division for the one-mile Budweiser Handicap on June 19, had his first 2016 workout Saturday at Emerald Downs, a half-mile in :47.40.
Atta Boy Roy ran six furlongs in 1:07 while winning the 2009 Chinook Pass Stakes, a mark tied by Noosa Beach in the 2010 Seattle Handicap. Noosa Beach is a full brother to Noosito.
Notes
Demon Warlock sired another winner Saturday as Another Winter ($24.40) prevailed in race two for Warlock Stables, Horseplayers Racing Club #144 and James Broussard. Owned by Tim Floyd, Demon Warlock accomplished a racing oddity Friday, siring the top three finishers in the fourth race. … It’s been a big weekend for Floyd (Warlock Stables), to say the least, as he also co-owns Saturday feature race winner Kaabraaj. … Native Causeway ($17.40) became the meet’s first two-time winner with a front-running score under Juan Gutierrez in race five. A 4-year-old Giant’s Causeway colt, Native Causeway races for the hot partnership of trainer Len Kasmerski and ownerRoz Barclay, a combined 4-for-7 at the meeting. … Trainer Blaine Wright also is on a roll, improving to 5-0-1 in seven starts as Fooled Again ($3.40) returned from California for a smashing victory in race six, running 6½ furlongs in 1:14.28 under Gutierrez for owners Todd and Shawn Hansen. … Jockey James Wooten picked up his first Emerald Downs win in 15 years, rallying Cahills Misty Morn to a $29 upset in the ninth race finale. … Cahills Misty Morn helped trigger a $0.20 Pick 7 carryover of $6,232 to Sunday.
