Locals shine during opening day of race season
Published 12:26 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008
By Dennis Box
The Courier-Herald
And here comes Marva Jean….
That was the race call at Emerald Downs Saturday during opening weekend as 5-year-old mare Marva Jean won a $40,000 allowance optional claiming race for trainer Frank Lucarelli, a resident of Enumclaw.
The West by West mare took on a talented field of fillies and mares, including stakes-winner Swingin' Notes and even-money favorite Ruby Dawn.
After moving to the front within the first furlong, Marva Jean extended her lead to five lengths in the stretch, winning in 1 minute, 2 2/5 seconds.
"She has a ton of speed," Lucarelli said. "Last year in this race we tried to rate her and she fought us all the way. This year I told (jockey Mick) Ruis to let her run her race."
Marva Jean's victory was the second win of the weekend for Lucarelli, who was the leading trainer at Emerald Downs last season with 52 wins. He has notched 345 victories during his career at the Auburn oval.
Lucarelli won earlier in the day with Idabetabuck in a 5-furlong $15,000 claiming race.
Marva Jean will be nominated to run in the May 8 $40,000 Hastings Park Handicap, Lucarelli said.
Jockey Gallyn Mitchell, also an Enumclaw resident, won five races opening weekend.
The 42-year-old Mitchell is the all-time leading rider at Emerald Downs and is 15 victories away from 800.
"I feel great this year," Mitchell said. "I'm really glad to have such a good start."
Mitchell won two races Friday. The first came aboard 4-year-old gelding Tapantears in a $7,500 claiming race and the second came in a $17,600 allowance race with 3-year-old gelding Beau Maggie. Bud Klokstad trained both horses.
On Sunday Mitchell rode three horses into the winner's circle. The first coming in the third race on Wananikki for trainer Jose Raudales.
Sunday Knight, conditioned by Hugh Carney was Mitchell's second win.
Mitchell ride in the final race of weekend was another victory aboard a Klokstad trained horse, Hot Plan.
Sunday, Mitchell will be in the irons aboard the Aubrey Villyard-conditioned Random Memo in the 67th running of the $40,000 Seattle Handicap going 6 furlongs.
Mitchell will be testing the 4-year-old gelding against a tough field.
Willie the Cat is set to run in the stakes. The gray Delineator gelding tied the 5 1/2-furlong world record last year at Emerald Downs in 1:01 1/5.
Sabertooth, the 2002 Longacres Mile winner, conditioned by Washington Hall of Fame trainer Jim Penney, will also be running for the wire in the stakes.
This is Emerald Downs' 10th season.
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.
