Bowen gets Background up at wire in Longacres Mile
Jockey Rocco Bowen made a triumphant return to Emerald Downs on Sunday, winning three races, including the biggest prize in the Pacific Northwest, the Grade 3, $100,000 Longacres Mile, aboard Background.
It was the first graded win in the United States for Bowen, who began his career in his native Barbados. He started riding in North America in 2007.
Bowen had not ridden at Emerald since 2018, when he won the riding title at the Auburn, Wash., oval for the third straight year. The veteran rider was overcome with emotion in the winner’s enclosure and had a hard time talking about the winning ride.
“At the quarter pole I just kept asking him,” he said. “We were going to live or die together. We both never gave up.”
At the quarter pole, Background was in a striking position but seemed to be stuck in neutral behind Windribbon, who was starting to make his presence known behind Papa’s Golden Boy and Anotherportinastorm who were beginning to falter after dueling through a half-mile in 45.34 seconds.
Windribbon assumed command in midstretch and appeared to have the race won. However, he hung late, and Background, responding to Bowen, surged late to get up in time. The winning margin was a head.
Windribbon had the perfect trip. He stalked the leaders early, took over the lead soon after turning for home, and held a 2 1/2-length advantage at the eighth pole before getting nipped at the wire. Five Star General, wide on the first turn, rallied late to finish third.
Background paid $6.60 and posted a final time of 1:36.67.
Background is trained by Mike Puhich and races for Giddyup Stables. It was the first stakes win for the 4-year-old Florida-bred son of Khozan. The $55,000 winner’s share of the $100,000 purse brought his career earnings to $287,532.
Puhich said before the race that Background would get a good rest after the Mile.
Princess of Cairo takes Emerald Distaff
Princess of Cairo paid $8 for her easy four-length win over Compelling Smile in the $50,000 Emerald Distaff for fillies and mares.
With Mario Gutierrez aboard, Princess Cairo broke alertly from post 7 in the 1 1/16-mile race and moved to the rail going around the first turn. She stayed tucked on the rail while stalking Galileta, who set the pace, and Daffodil Sweet who tracked Galileta through six furlongs before dropping back. Galileta drifted out turning for home, and the race was pretty much over when Princess of Cairo surged to the lead from along the inside. Galileta held on to finish third, with Compelling Smile rallying from well back to get up for second.
The final time was 1:42.69.
“I was just waiting for my opening and when the rail opened up we went for it,” Gutierrez said.
It was the first stakes win at Emerald Downs for trainer Sandi Gann.
In Princess Cairo’s only other start at Emerald, she won the $40,000 Washington Oaks last year with part-owner Glen Todd as her trainer.
“She just loves the track,” Gann said. “She doesn’t always run her best race, but she did today.”
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Cairo Prince, Princess of Cairo races for Dr. Mark Dedomenico and Todd.