Stryker Phd shows powerful surge in Mt. Rainier Handicap win

Late-running powerhouse Stryker Phd cruised to a six-length victory Sunday in the $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap, his sixth consecutive stakes win at Emerald Downs. In blowing the doors off what appeared to be a competitive field, Stryker Phd put to rest all doubt about his superiority in Emerald’s handicap division and stamped himself as an almost-certain favorite in the meeting’s biggest race, the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile on Aug. 16.

Stryker Phd, who paid $4 to win, did get a favorable setup Sunday, as Scat Daddybaby tore through fractions of 44.81 seconds for the first half-mile and 1:09.06 for six furlongs before folding. Stryker Phd, as many as 15 lengths off the pace early, rushed into contention on the turn under Leslie Mawing and quickly engulfed the leaders, going from five lengths behind to five in front in a flash. He completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.89.

Absolutely Cool closed to finish a distant second in the field of nine. He was three-quarters of a length in front of Del Rio Harbor. Noosito, the 2-1 second choice, finished fourth, followed by Scat Daddybaby, Remembertobreathe, Herbie D, Mike Man’s Gold, and Grinder Sparksaglo.

Stryker Phd improved his overall record to 7-5-5 from 20 starts for owners Jim and Mona Hour of Bellevue, Wash. The $27,500 winner’s share pushed his career earnings to $375,651.

A 6-year-old by Bertrando, Stryker Phd is 5 for 7 since being transferred to trainer Larry Ross before Emerald’s 2014 meeting. In four weeks, he’ll attempt to become the first two-time Longacres Mile winner at Emerald Downs.

“The horse that won, what a monster!” said jockey Julien Couton, who rode Del Rio Harbor. “He’s the best horse on the grounds by far.”

Earlier on Sunday’s card, Barkley needed every inch of the stretch to get past a stubborn Gold Rush Dancer and win the $50,000 Emerald Express, the meeting’s first stakes event for 2-year-olds. Barkley ran six furlongs in 1:11.04 under Javier Matias and paid $4 to win. He is trained by Howard Belvoir for co-owners Belvoir and Rising Star Stable.