Mebossman comes out on top in blanket finish in Emerald Downs Derby

AUBURN, Wash. – Mebossman recorded his first career stakes victory in dramatic fashion Sunday, winning the $74,250 Emerald Downs Derby in a three-horse blanket finish after staging a furious rally to catch the pacesetter Del Rio Harbor and 6-5 favorite Noosito in the final strides.

Meboosman, ridden by Juan Gutierrez, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.23 and paid $13 as the third choice in a seven-horse field. The final margin was a neck, with Del Rio Harbor a head in front of Noosito. It was then 2 1/2 lengths back to Zoomzoomania, who was followed by Oldtimers Vision, The Tom Squad, and HIllside Select.

Much of the pre-race focus centered on Del Rio Harbor and Noosito, both trained by Doris Harwood. The two had taken turns winning Emerald Downs stakes races over the past two years, winning seven added-money events between them. Their all-time series record was tied at 3-3 before the Derby, and bettors were torn between them – Noosito went off at 6-5 and Del Rio Harbor at 7-5.

Owned by Roy and Ellie Schaefer of Port Orchard, Wash., and trained by Frank Lucarelli, Mebossman earned $41,250, pushing his career mark to $109,917 through 12 starts. In his best previous stakes appearances, Meboosman finished second behind Del Rio Harbor in the season-ending Gottstein Futurity in 2013 and second behind Noosito in the Auburn Handicap on May 25.

By Petionville out of the Halo mare Peaceful Wings, Mebossman is a half-brother to Jebrica, who captured the Emerald Downs Derby in 2011.
The favorites are now 2 for 19 in Emerald Downs derbies, and only one of the winners crossed the line first, Alexandersrun in 2005. The other winning favorite, Gallon, was put up via disqualification in 2008.