Prime Engine runs off with Gottstein Futurity

AUBURN, Wash. - Prime Engine put an exclamation point on the 19th season at Emerald Downs on Sunday with a runaway victory in the $64,350 Gottstein Futurity on the final day of the 73-day meeting.

Trained by Mike Puhich for Mark Dedomenico of Redmond, Wash., Prime Engine started as the 7-5 second favorite on the heels of scintillating maiden victory in which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 83, the fastest race at Emerald Downs by a 2-year-old in almost six years. Trackattacker, the 3-5 favorite in the Gottstein, had won his four starts with ease, and the race was expected to boil down to those two.

Prime Engine did his part, stalking Trackattacker through the early going before moving up to join him at the five-sixteenths pole. But just as Prime Engine made his move, Trackattacker slowed noticeably. He was eased through the stretch and finished last of six, while Prime Engine kicked clear to win by 5 1/2 lengths under jockey Isaias Enriquez.

Prime Engine covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.49 and paid $4.80. He earned $35,393, recouping a share of the $110,000 Dedomenico paid for the Northern Afleet colt at Keeneland in September 2013.

Private Boss rallied from last to finish second. He was followed by the filly Val de Saire, Bolshoi's Bluff, Old Fashioned Grit, and Trackattacker.