Awesome Indian prevails, gives Bowen 100 wins | Emerald Downs

Awesome Indian turned aside Bluegrass Angus into the lane and held off Trick Or Retreat for a four-length victory Saturday in the $19,5000 SVEDKA Vodka Purse at Emerald Downs.

September 4, 2016 12:43 pm
Rocco Bowen is congratulated after riding Awesome Indian to a four-length victory Saturday
Rocco Bowen is congratulated after riding Awesome Indian to a four-length victory Saturday

For the Reporter

Awesome Indian turned aside Bluegrass Angus into the lane and held off Trick Or Retreat for a four-length victory Saturday in the $19,5000 SVEDKA Vodka Purse at Emerald Downs.

With Rocco Bowen riding his 100th winner of the meeting, Awesome Indian ran 6½ furlongs in 1:15.75 and paid $11.40, $5.40 and $4. Tom Wenzel is the winning trainer for the Awesome Indian Syndicate.

Trick Or Retreat, ridden by Erick Lopez, finished well for second and paid $5.40 and $3.20, while Canadian shipper Bluegrass Angus, ridden by Leslie Mawing, held third and paid $4.20.

Breaking from the No. 2 post-position, Awesome Indian led through fractions of :22.23, and :45.07, relinquished the lead to Bluegrass Angus on the turn, but regained command into the stretch and drew off to win as much the best.

A 4-year-old Kentucky-bred by Indian Charlie-Clear in the West, Awesome Indian has two wins at the meet and is 4-2-2 in 13 career starts with earnings of $60,170, including $10,725 for Saturday’s triumph.

Bowen rode two wins Saturday, reaching 100 wins for the first time in five seasons at Emerald Downs. And with only five days remaining, he has locked up his first riding title here.

The trainers’ race, however, is going down to the wire with Blaine Wright owning a 35-34 lead over three-time defending champion Jeff Metz.

Notes

Trainers Kraig Koler with Skate Away ($3.40) in race three and Diane Garrison with Prince of Silver ($7.80) in race five both scored their first wins of the meet Saturday. … In addition to Bowen, Eswan Flores and Jose Zunino also rode two winners each Saturday. … Flicker of Luck ($5.80) prevailed in race six to improve trainer Manny Ortiz to a sparkling 14-for-48 mark at the meet, or 29.1 percent. It’s practically a carbon copy for Ortiz, who went 14-for-47 last year in his first season at Emerald Downs. Live racing continues Sunday with Italian Day at Emerald Downs. First post is 2 p.m., with carryovers in the $0.50 Pick 5 ($1,957) and $0.20 Pick 7 ($3,458). Simulcast action includes the $300,000 Del Mar Derby (G3) with Gold Rush Dancer 8-1 in a monster 14-horse field.