Papa's Golden Boy returns, renews rivalry with Slew's Tiz Whiz

Papa’s Golden Boy will make his long-awaited return to the races as the one to catch in Sunday’s open-allowance feature over 5 1/2 furlongs at Emerald Downs.

Papa’s Golden Boy, a Vince Gibson trainee owned by Lusk Racing, will renew his rivalry with Slew’s Tiz Whiz on Sunday. Slew’s Tiz Whiz, trained by Tom Wenzel, was the winner of the 2022 Longacres Mile, with Papa’s Golden Boy a commendable runner-up. The third-place finisher, Five Star General, went on to take the 2023 running of the Longacres Mile.

Through five meetings, Papa’s Golden Boy has finished in front of Slew’s Tiz Whiz on three occasions.

An 8-year-old son of Harbor the Gold, Papa’s Golden Boy has not raced since November 2022, when he finished last of 10 on the grass at Turf Paradise. The gelding got sick soon after and has been pampered by his connections during his long time away.

“He acts like he’s back to his old self,” Gibson said. “He’s happy and he acts like he likes training.”

Slew’s Tiz Whiz also is scheduled to make his 2024 bow Sunday, and the gelding has finished first and second off long layoffs in the past. He also has been training admirably toward his return.

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Other contenders in Sunday’s race include a pair trained by Justin Evans, Mor Tequila and Prisoner. Prisoner was the winner of a May 19 starter allowance at Emerald Downs over just two opponents. Mor Tequila, a former Bob Baffert trainee, was acquired by Evans in time for an April 30 allowance at Turf Paradise in which the colt finished in front before being disqualified and placed second for interference.

A trifecta candidate on Sunday is Tax Code, a Blaine Wright trainee who had a strong campaign at Emerald Downs in 2023 and who finished third, beaten three-quarters of a length, in his May 18 return. The 5-year-old seems ready to improve.

Golden Ale is a Frank Lucarelli charge who inherited a win in the allowance race in which Mor Tequila was disqualified from first.

Last-out winner Coastal Kid, trained by Alexis Silva-Martinez, completes the field. He was a comfortable winner at the $25,000 claiming level in his last start May 12 at Emerald Downs.

Mild temperatures and possible showers are in the forecast for a Sunday race card that begins at 1:30 p.m. Pacific.

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