Owner, jock, and trainer set marks at Emerald

AUBURN, Wash. - A new high-water mark for total average daily handle was one of several records established at the 2007 Emerald Downs meeting, which concluded Sunday after 91 days of racing.

The track posted an increase of 2.3 percent on wagering from all sources, including full-card simulcasts, and a .5 percent decline in all-sources betting on Emerald's live races. The track handled $1,415,172 per day from all sources, with an average of $839,018 per day bet on Emerald's races.

The track's president, Ron Crockett, said the meet outperformed his expectations.

"Considering the increased competition for the wagering dollar and increases in advance-deposit wagering, to have an up year is extremely positive," he said.

Crockett himself was among the record-setters at the meet, as his his horses earned a record $584,000, including the $300,000 earned by The Great Face and Raise the Bluff when they ran one-two in the Grade 3, $400,000 Longacres Mile. Jockey Ricky Frazier also established a new mark with 157 wins, and trainer Doris Harwood set a record with 12 stakes wins, four more than any trainer in the track's 12-year history.

Tim McCanna won his sixth Emerald training title with 50 wins, five more than defending champ Frank Lucarelli.

The Great Face rode his Mile victory and three other wins at the stand to horse of the meeting honors, as well as awards for top older horse and top Washington-bred.

Top older filly or mare honors went to Victory Script, who was also named the meet's top claimer after winning all seven of her starts at the stand.

Shampoo was named top 3-year-old filly after winning four stakes, and three-time stakes winner Mulcahy was voted the top 3-year-old colt or gelding after winning three stakes. Breeders' Cup-bound Smarty Deb, who is undefeated after four starts, was named the top 2-two-old filly, and Gallon was honored as top 2-year-old colt or gelding. Westsideclyde was named sprinter of the meeting.

Trainer Chris Stenslie was given the Durkan Award, and jockey J.C. Estrada received the Lindy Award. Both honors recognize individuals deemed to embody the qualities of competitiveness and sportsmanship in their respective professions.