Jockey Juan Gutierrez was the star of the show on Labor Day at Emerald Downs.
The 43-year-old jockey rode five winners, including a record-tying four straight races, to take another big step toward his first Emerald Downs’ riding title. In recording his second career five-win day here, Gutierrez was 5-2-0 in seven mounts and pushed his season total to an even 100 wins.
With nine days left in the 81-day meeting, Gutierrez leads defending champion Leslie Mawing by 15 wins, 100-85, but Mawing rode three winners Monday and clearly won’t go down without a fight.
Gutierrez and Mawing combined for eight wins on the nine-race card and they finished one-two in races three, five, six and nine.
In race five, Royal Shrine, a 6-to-1 shot ridden by Gutierrez, and Cresent McGain, a 6-to-1 shot ridden by Mawing, finished in a dead-heat for the win
Gutierrez also scored victories on Who Gives a Hoot ($10) in the second race, Raised a Secret ($20.40) in the third, Finallygotabentley ($2.40) in the fourth, and Zagreus in the seventh. He nearly made it five in a row on A. Lurie Girl in race six, but Angel Unaware and Mawing held on by a neck for the 9-to-1 upset.
Gutierrez’ five-win day was the first this year and the 28th all-time at Emerald Downs. Kevin Radke in 2002 and Seth Martinez in 2008 are the only jockeys to ride six winners on a card.
In the day’s feature race, the $11,650 Xfinity Purse for older fillies and mares, Strategic Patience rallied from last to edge Montelena by a half-length in 1:15.98 for 6-½ furlongs.
Ridden by Leonel Camacho-Flores, Strategic Patience paid $5, $3.60 and $2.10. Don Munger is the trainer, breeder and co-owner with wife Wanda Munger. The Mungers are the meet’s leading owners with 16 wins.
Montelena, ridden by William Antongeorgi, finished second by a head and paid $7 and $2.80. Single N Lovin It, the 7-to-5 betting favorite, paid $2.20.
A 7-year-old by Detox out of One Spoiled Brat, Strategic Patience has won two of her last three starts and is 6-4-3 in 21 lifetime starts with earnings of $45,736.
Single N Lovin It was claimed for $10,000 by trainer David Martinez for owner Vann Belvoir.
NOTES: Finallygotabentley ($2.40) recorded the third fastest six-furlong time by a 2-year-old colt or gelding in track history, 1:08.87, while breaking his maiden in race four. Only Fast Parade, 1:08 in 2005, and Margo’s Gift, 1:08-2/5 in 2007 have run faster six-furlong times as 2-year-old colt or gelding at Emerald Downs. Finallygotabentley is stakes-placed twice at the meet, finishing second to Mike Man’s Gold in the Premio Esmeralda Stakes and third to Mike Man’s Gold and Music of My Soul in the WTBOA Lads Stakes. Both Mike Man’s Gold and Music of My Soul are nominated to the $35,000 Dennis Dodge Stakes on Sunday, September 9* Finallygotabentley accounted for $77,519 of $83,414 wagered to show in race four*Polish Dollar ($2.60) became the meet’s 10th four-time winner with a gate-to-wire triumph in the Labor Day opener. The 6-year-old Polish Gift gelding ran one mile in 1:35.42 under William Antongeorgi for trainer Bob Meeking*Hankhankmcclank ($3.60) got off the schneid in the nightcap in career start No. 20. The 3-year-old gelding is 1-4-10 in 20 starts for Warlock Stables, and trainer Tim McCanna pulled to within three wins of Frank Lucarelli in the trainers’ race. With nine days left, Lucarelli leads 40-37, with Howard Belvoir third with 32 wins*Live racing resumes Friday with first post 6:15 PM*Simulcast racing is offered Monday and Tuesday at the Quarter Chute Café and Wednesday and Thursday at Emerald Downs. Wednesday’s closing day Del Mar card includes a Pick Six carryover of $194,000.