Emmett Park exploded late and collared Mike Man’s Gold and Grinder Sparksaglo in the final strides for a one-length victory Sunday in the $20,500 Muckleshoot Casino Purse at Emerald Downs.

Under a perfectly-timed ride by Kevin Orozco, Emmett Park ran 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.70 and p[aid $4.80 as the second choice in the wagering. Blaine Wright – capping a three-for-three afternoon – is the winning trainer for owner Peter Redekop of Vancouver B.C.

Emmett Park is now-four-four at the meeting with $47,575 in purse earnings. A 6-year-old Kentucky-bred by Bob and John, Emmett Park has won three times for a $40,000 claiming tag and also captured the $25,000 Pete Pedersen Overnight Stakes.

Grinder Sparksaglo, ridden by Nathan Haar, collared Mike Man’s Gold in the final stride for second, and Mike Man’s Gold finished a close third.

Bidding for his fifth win of the meet, Mike Man’s Gold dueled with Blame It On Royce through fractions of :21.95, :44.24 and 1:09.21, battled gamely to the wire and just missed. Mike Man’s Gold is now 16-for-38 at Emerald Downs and 4-0-2 in six starts this season.

Notes

Mike Man’s Gold was favored by $19 over Emmett Park in the win pool – $7,626-$7607. … Kevin Orozco posted his second straight three-win day while Erick Lopez rode two winners Sunday. … Leonel Camacho-Flores made it six straight winning days with a victory on Winning Bluff ($21.80) in the Sunday opener. … Blaine Wright now has 13 multiple-win days this season and leads Joe Toye 53-33 in the trainers’ standings. … 3-year-old Maurice Code ($3.60) made it four straight wins with a gate-to-wire victory vs. $20,000 claimers in 1:10.01 for six furlongs. Orozco was aboard for Wright and Seamist Racing. … Live racing resumes Saturday with first post 2 p.m.