Polish Dollar edges Camp Granada in Saturday feature | Emerald Downs

Those traits were evident again Saturday, as Polish Dollar swept past Camp Granada in the final yards for a 1 3/4-length victory in the $22,575 allowance feature for 3-year-olds and up at 6 1/2 furlongs. Ridden by Juan Gutierrez, Polish Dollar ran 6 1/2 furlongs in a sparkling 1 minute, 14.69 seconds and paid $5.40, $2.80 and $2.10. The winning time is the second fastest this year at the distance, and Polish Dollar also owns the fastest six-furlong clocking of the season, 1:08.09, set on April 20.

June 23, 2013 1:58 pm
Polish Dollar (left with yellow silks) reels in Camp Granada to win Saturday's allowance feature race for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs. Juan Gutierrez rode the winner for trainer Bob Meeking and owner Sharon Radke.
Polish Dollar (left with yellow silks) reels in Camp Granada to win Saturday's allowance feature race for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs. Juan Gutierrez rode the winner for trainer Bob Meeking and owner Sharon Radke.

Polish Dollar is fast and tenacious, and the 7-year-old gelding loves to win races.

Those traits were evident again Saturday, as Polish Dollar swept past Camp Granada in the final yards for a 1 3/4-length victory in the $22,575 allowance feature for 3-year-olds and up at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Ridden by Juan Gutierrez, Polish Dollar ran 6 1/2 furlongs in a sparkling 1 minute, 14.69 seconds and paid $5.40, $2.80 and $2.10. The winning time is the second fastest this year at the distance, and Polish Dollar also owns the fastest six-furlong clocking of the season, 1:08.09, set on April 20.

Trained by Bob Meeking for owner Sharon Radke of Port Angeles, Polish Dollar is seven-for-12 since joining Meeking’s barn last year, and 13-for-32 overall at Emerald Downs. A Washington-bred By Polish Gift-Spediacci, Polish Dollar earned $12,416 to push his career bankroll to $93,317.

Gutierrez, meanwhile, reclaimed the riding lead, 42-41, over Isaias Enriquez atop the jockeys’ standings.

Camp Granada, coming off a smashing 7 3/4-length allowance win on June 2, shook 2 1/2 lengths clear into the stretch, but was unable to withstand Polish Dollar’s late surge. Ridden by David G. Lopez, Camp Granada paid $2.80 and $2.40.

Forin Sea–with Gallyn Mitchell filling in for an injured Rocco Bowen–overcame a slow start to finish a fast-closing third, paying $3.80 for show. Johnski, Theresmyeverything and Whistle Cat completed the order of finish.

Bowen sustained a knee injury in race two and was replaced on his final five mounts Saturday.

Mitchell, the track’s all-time leading rider with 1,347 wins, returned to action just 61 days after suffering a major heart attack on April 22.

NOTES: Dallon’s Gold ($11.60) won the Saturday opener by 8 3/4-lengths in :51.99 for 4 1/4 furlongs. Ridden by Ronald Richard for trainer Dave Bennett and owner Dixie Hitchcock, Dallon’s Gold is a 2-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Private Gold-Winning Weave… Leonel Camacho-Flores rode two winners and climbed into a three-way tie with Richard and Debbie Hoonan for eighth place in the jockeys’ standings at 14 wins apiece… After a two-for-38 start, owner/trainer Don Munger has won with three of his last five starters, including a victory by Humongous ($5.20) in Saturday’s third race… Jockey Lorenzo Lopez rode his first Emerald Downs winner since 2006, guiding Mr. Top Kat ($17.60) to a gate-to-wire score in race six for Professor Pollowitz and owner/trainer Alan Bozell. In his four career victories, the 4-year-old Katowice ridgling has produced $2 win prices of $35, $39.60, $17.80 and $17.60… Trainer Jim Penney continued his hot streak as I Keep Saying ($3.20) won the $14,375 sub-feature for 3-year-olds and up, running 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.38 and improving to 2-1-0 in three starts at the meeting*Congratulations to Victor The Predictor Cozzetti, as Asummerprospect ($6) got Vic-Tory Stables on the board with a gate-to-wire victory in race nine. Matt Hagerty rode the winner for Vince Gibson… Live racing continues Sunday with first post 2 p.m. The first stakes doubleheader of the season features the $50,000 Irish Day Handicap for 3-year-old fillies at one mile, and the $50,000 Coca-Cola Handicap for 3-year-old colts and geldings at one mile. Seattle Handicap winner Stopshoppingdebbie is the 8-to-5 morning line favorite in the Irish day and newcomer Worldventurer is 2-to-1 in the Coca-Cola.