Harbor the Gold's progeny sweep Emerald stakes

AUBURN, Wash. - Harbor the Gold, a rising star in Northwest breeding circles, was represented by two juvenile stakes winners Sunday at Emerald Downs. Couldabenthewhisky captured the $30,000 Strong Ruler Stakes for colts and geldings, and first-time starter Carrabelle Harbor prevailed in the $30,000 Knights Choice Stakes for fillies.

Both races were restricted to progeny of nominated stallions. Harbor the Gold, by Seeking the Gold, stands at Bar C Racing Stables in Hermiston, Ore. He's a half-brother to Eclipse Award-winning juvenile champion Boston Harbor, and his second dam produced champion sprinter Groovy. Harbor the Gold's first crop, 2-year-olds of 2008, includes Noosa Beach, a five-time stakes winner at Emerald Downs, and his second features Hollywood Harbor, who captured three stakes last year at 2.

The winners Sunday posted identical times of 1:03.80 for 5 1/2 furlongs on a fast track. Ricky Frazier, Emerald Downs's leading rider, captured both stakes, two of his five victories on the 10-race program. Frazier was denied a sixth victory, which would have tied the track record for wins in a day, when his mount in the final race was disqualified for causing interference in the stretch.

Couldabenthewhisky ($5) led all the way to defeat Winter Warlock by 1 1/4 lengths, with Gdanz Express 1 1/2 lengths farther back in third. Bonnie Jenne is the trainer and co-owner with Andy Maib of Redmond, Wash., and Craig and Jan Fredrickson of Kent, Wash.

Carrabelle Harbor ($4.80) rallied from just off the pace to best Iforgottobeme by 1 1/4 lengths, with Belle Adieu 5 1/4 lengths farther back in third. Trained by Doris Harwood, Carrabelle Harbor is co-owned by Bar C Racing Stables (Pam and Ken Christopherson) and D.H. Walker of Kent, Wash.

Bar C Racing Stables bred both winners, who were born nine days apart in March 2008.