Snuggles collects third straight stakes win in Emerald Downs Handicap

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Snuggles paid $4.20 for her 1 1/2-length win over Colleen’s Diamond in the $50,000 Emerald Downs Handicap at Hastings on Sunday.

One of three horses trained by Dino Condilenios in the five-horse field, Snuggles figured to be a shorter price in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies. However, one of her uncoupled stablemates, Oma, received a lot of support and also went off at even-money.

With Rico Walcott aboard, Snuggles had only one horse beat at the quarter pole. She started to move into serious contention on the stretch turn and was in full flight when she came out of the turn. Under left-handed urging from Walcott, she finished with a rush while going four-wide and drew clear late. Colleen’s Diamond dueled with Oma early and held on to finish second, a nose in front of McDove, who tracked the early leaders. Oma faded to finish fourth.

“She kind of backed out of it early,” said Walcott. “You just can’t leave her alone so I kept after her. She finally responded when I switched the whip to my left hand.”

It was the third straight stakes win for Snuggles and she posted the same final time of 1:17.39 as she did in her previous race in the $50,000 Ross McLeod.

A daughter of the deceased stallion Rosberg, Snuggles was bred by her owners, Swift Thoroughbred Inc.