MEET HONORS TO BE DECIDED

With only five weeks remaining in the 2015 season, it’s time to contemplate the meet’s top horses at Emerald Downs. Official voting is held closing week, September 25-27, and things could change over the meet’s final 15 days. Nevertheless, here’s one man’s opinion for Horse of the Meeting, Handicap Horse, Washington-bred, Older Filly or Mare, 3-Year-Old, and 3-Year-Old Filly.

Horse of the Meeting—Stryker Phd

Stryker Phd figures to join Noosa Beach (2010-11) as the only two-time winners of Horse of the Meeting at Emerald Downs. Perfect in two seasons and the only two-time Longacres Mile winner at Emerald Downs, Stryker Phd might be the best horse in track history. That’s a big statement, one that could be argued by several camps, but there’s no denying the 6-year-old is the best horse on the grounds. Kudos to Larry and Sharon Ross for once again mapping out a perfect schedule for Jim and Mona Hour’s gelding, and jockey Leslie Mawing obviously fits the horse to a tee, riding Stryker with utmost confidence. Next stop is the $60,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic for Washington-breds on September 13.

Honorable Mention—Belle Hill, Lady Rosberg

Top Handicap Horse—Stryker Phd

Honorable Mention—Fleet Eagle, Noosito

Fleet Eagle ran the meet’s fastest 6 ½ furlongs, 1:14.27, while winning the Governor’s Handicap by a stunning 6 ¾ lengths and Noosito came closer to beating Styker Phd than any horse in two seasons, missing by a neck in the Budweiser Handicap.

Top Washington-bred—Stryker Phd

Things could change; especially with four 2-year-old stakes scheduled in September, but Stryker Phd and Lady Rosberg are the first Washington-breds in eight years to sweep The Mile and Emerald Distaff in the same year. Honorable Mention—Lady Rosberg

Top Older Filly or Mare

Lady Rosberg was brilliant in two starts, winning by 5 ½ lengths in the one-mile Boeing Handicap and by 3 ¾ lengths in the 1 1/8-mile Emerald Distaff. Although she didn’t face Kikisoblu, easy winner of both sprints stakes, Lady Rosberg gets the nod for winning the meet’s top event for older fillies and mares.

Honorable Mention—Kikisoblu

Top 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding

This was a wild category, with four races producing four different winners and $2 mutuels of $19, $18.40, $68.60 and $3.60. Prime Engine scored runner-up finishes in the Coca-Cola and Seattle Handicaps before adding blinkers for a six-length romp in the Emerald Downs Derby. His overall consistency, along with the powerful win in the Derby, makes a compelling case for Prime Engine. Next stop for the Northern Afleet colt reportedly is the $400,000 Super Derby (G2) at Louisiana Downs on September 12.

Honorable Mention—Betrbegone, Thetrailerguy, Fooled Agai

Top 3-Year-Old Filly

Belle Hill wasted little time developing into a top-notch filly for Aithon Stable and the Ross’, sweeping all three routes in the four-race series, capped by a five-length triumph in the 1 1/8-mile Washington Oaks. Hard to believe she was unraced at the beginning of 2015, and her quarter-million price tag is looking like a bargain.

Honorable Mention—Suva Harbor, Ethan’s Baby

Big Boys With Big Beyers!

Fleet Eagle(pictured right) and Stryker Phd have posted the top Beyer Speed Figures so far this season with their wins in the Governor’s Handicap and Longacres Mile (G3) respectively.