Sippin Fire draws off to win Coca-Cola Stakes

Under a patient ride by leading jockey Rocco Bowen, Sippin Fire was a convincing winner of the $50,000 Coca-Cola Stakes at Emerald Downs on Sunday. He paid $7.60 and posted a final time of 1:15.41 in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds.

Sippin Fire broke like a rocket from the outside post in the seven-horse field, but instead of dueling with Freiburg, Bowen elected to ease him into a stalking position. He was a half-length behind when Freiburg posted a half-mile time of 45.35 seconds. Sippin Fire took over the lead at the top of the stretch and drew off to win by a widening 3 1/2 lengths with Bowen posing for the win picture approaching the wire.

Freiburg held on to finish second over Boundary Bay, who rallied from a stalking position. Whatwasithinking, the $2.30-1 favorite and 124-pound highweight, appeared to be full of run after breaking from the rail, but he had to steady a couple of times going down the backstretch. When he did get clear, he didn’t fire and finished fourth.

A Washington-bred son of Harbor the Gold, Sippin Fire is trained by Steve Bullock.

“I was just a passenger,” said Bowen. “Steve had him ready, and when he shot out of the gate, I just let him do his thing.”

Sippin Fire is owned by How We Roll #4. Included in the stable is Joe Withee, the director of publicity at Emerald Downs.

Earlier on the card, Regazee Cat won the Not in Any Rocking Chair starter allowance. The six-furlong dash was restricted to horses whose trainers are at least 90 years old. Regazee Cat is trained by Arturo Arboleda. At 94, he is the oldest of the four trainers who had horses in the race.