Papa's Golden Boy runs 'em silly in Budweiser; Maybe I Will takes Hastings Stakes

Papa’s Golden Boy caught a flyer leaving the starting gate from the outside post and ran his nine opponents off their feet while posting a quick final time of 1:07.76 for six furlongs in the $50,000 Budweiser Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at Emerald Downs on Sunday.

He paid $7.60 for his dominating 4 3/4-length victory over Top Executive.

With Kevin Radke aboard, Papa’s Golden Boy was under some pressure from Coastal Jazz when he posted a quarter-mile time of 21.29 seconds. He opened a three-length advantage after a half-mile in 43.22, entered the stretch with a commanding lead and easily held off Top Executive who came from a stalking position. Five Star General rallied late to finish third, a neck behind Top Executive.

The impressive performance duplicated his win in the Budweiser last year when he ran six furlongs in 1:07.71.

“I’ve ridden a lot of horses and he is one of the fastest, at least in the top two,” said Radke.

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Trained by Vince Gibson, the 6-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Harbor the Gold races for Lusk Racing.

Top Executive was trying to give trainer Blaine Wright a sweep of the four stakes races at the meet after Maybe I Will edged Blazingbellablu by a neck in the co-featured $50,000 Hastings for fillies and mares.

She paid $12.

Ridden by Kevin Orozco, Maybe I Will pressed the pace while racing three wide in the six-furlong race, took the lead turning for home, and outdueled Blazingbellablu in a thrilling stretch drive.

Blazingbellablu stalked the leaders from along the inside, slipped through at the three-sixteenths pole where she hooked up with Maybe I Will, and just missed in a strong effort while making her first start this year.

Daffodil Sweet finished a hall-length behind Blazingbellablu after forcing Ima Happy Cat through a half-mile in 44.21 seconds.

The final time was 1:08.38.

It was the first stakes win for Maybe I Will, a 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Will Take Charge who races for Fairview LLC.