Riser cruises in Mt. Rainier Stakes

Heavily favored Riser broke on top and cruised to a convincing win over Barkley in the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Stakes at Emerald Downs on Sunday.

He paid $2.60 for his 2 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.

With Juan Hernandez riding, Riser held a two-length advantage over Mach One Rules after a half-mile in 45.87 seconds, increased his margin to three lengths at the eighth-pole, and never looked threatened by Barkley who took over second from Mach One Rules on the stretch turn. Mach One Rules finished 7 1/4 lengths behind Barkley while finishing third.

The final time of 1:40.08 is now the record for the Mt. Rainier, which is the final prep for the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile on Aug. 12.

Trained by Blaine Wright, Riser led all the way in the two previous stakes for older horses at Emerald this year in the $50,000 Governor’s and $50,000 Budweiser. However, he was disqualified to last for interfering with Barkley at the start of the Budweiser on June 24.

“We didn’t muck anything up this time,” Wright said. “Our opening goal is the next race and hopefully we’ll get him there."

The Mt. Rainier was the first leg of the 50 cent All Stakes Pick 4, which paid $22.65.

The second leg was the $50,000 Angie C. for 2-year-old fillies. The 5 1/2-furlong sprint was won by Northwest Factor, who paid $13.80 for her three-quarter-length victory over even-money favorite Aikman Juliet.

She was ridden by Julien Couton and posted a final time of 1:04.41.

The Kentucky-bred daughter of The Factor is trained by Steve Bullock.

Wright trained the winners of the next two stakes beginning with Baja Sur, who was an easy 10-length winner of the $50,000 Kent County Express for 2-year-old colts and geldings. He paid $2.80. He was ridden by Erick Lopez and posted a final time of 1:03.13.

Kevin Orozco guided Top Quality to a 3 3/4-length win over her stablemate, Reginella, in the $50,000 Boeing Stakes for fillies and mares.

She won the 1 1/16-mile race going away and posted a final time 1:41.19. She paid $4.00.

Wright also won the ninth race with Fortune Cookie, who was ridden by Julien Couton.