Executive Chef wins Auburn Stakes to complete Wright stakes sweep

Executive Chef paid $10.20 for his win in the $50,000 Auburn Stakes at Emerald Downs Sunday.

The convincing four-length victory over Itsallabouttheride in the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds gave trainer Blaine Wright a sweep of the two stakes on the eight-race Father’s Day card. In the fifth race, Slack Tide won by the same margin when she dueled early and kept rolling in the $50,000 Seattle Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Executive Chef was nowhere near the fast and contested pace in the Auburn. With Kevin Orozco aboard, Executive Chef bided his time while Smiling Goodbye and A View From Above dueled through a quarter-mile in 21.55 seconds. He made his presence known on the turn, split rivals nearing the three-sixteenth pole, and took command in midstretch.

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Itsallabouttheride stalked the pacesetters and never looked like a threat after Executive Chef went by him on the turn. Midnight Mojo, last early, finished well, but came up a head short of grabbing second.

The final time was 1:08.84.

The win moved Wright into a tie for fourth place in the tracks all-time standings for stakes wins with Howard Belvoir. Each has 48 wins.

“It’s a great credit to my owners and barn crew,” said Wright. “It’s been a great Father’s Day.”

A Virginia-bred son of Cairo Prince, Executive Chef races for John and Janene Maryaski and Riverbend Stable.