Gold Crusher, Princess Cairo win 3-year-old stakes at Emerald

It was more of the same at Emerald Downs Thursday night as the Frank Lucarelli-trained Gold Crusher cruised to a 4 3/4-length victory over heavily favored Unmachable in the $40,000 Muckleshoot Derby. It was the fifth stakes win at the meet for Lucarelli, who ranks second all-time at Emerald with 52 stakes wins.

Gold Crusher paid $14.40 and posted a final time of 1:41.64 for the 1 1/16 miles.

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Gold Crusher broke alertly and was gunned to the lead by Eddie Martinez. He was well in hand when he posted a half-mile time of 46.55 seconds. He opened up a three-length advantage at the six-furlong mark and won as he pleased. Unmachable made late move to finish second but was never a threat to the winner. Muncy came from a stalking position to finish third.

“Eddie made a good choice to go on with it tonight,” said Lucarelli. “I actually was excited to stretch him out, and speed is doing pretty good here right now.”

A Washington-bred son of Harbor the Gold, Gold Crusher races for Chad Christensen and Josh Mckee.

Princess of Cairo and Daffodil Sweet were in a race by themselves in the $40,000 Washington Oaks, with Princess of Cairo pulling away late to defeat the previously undefeated Daffodil Sweet by 2 3/4 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies. It was another 12 1/4 lengths back to the third-place finisher Autumn Arrives.

Princess Cairo paid $11.40.

With Gary Wales aboard, Princess of Cairo bided her time while Daffodil Sweet posted a half-mile time of 46.43 seconds. She moved to within a length of Daffodil Sweet at the six-furlong mark, made the lead at the eighth pole, and drew off with authority. Sweet Daffodil, coming off three blowout victories sprinting at Emerald, was sent off as the 1-5 favorite.

The final time was 1:41.12.

Princess of Cairo is based at Hastings where she races for Glen Todd and Mark Dedomenico. Todd also trains the Kentucky-bred daughter of Cairo Prince.

The $2,435,732 wagered on the 11-race card was the highest at meet.