Time for Gold points to Shinpoch after impressive Angie C. score

Trainer Frank Lucarelli reported Sunday that Time for Gold came out of her impressive win in the $36,000 Angie C. for 2-year-old fillies Thursday in excellent shape and will be pointed to the $40,000 Barbara Shinpoch on Aug. 27.

Just how impressive was Time for Gold’s nine-length victory in the 5 1/2-furlongs Angie C.?

Look no further than the King County Express for juvenile colts and geldings, which was held a couple races later. The King County was a thriller, with Top Executive edging Seattlesbestsecret by a nose at the same distance as the Angie C. The final time of 1:03.86 for the King County was more than a second longer than it took Time for Gold to demolish her overwhelmed opponents in 1:02.72. She received a 67 Beyer Speed Figure, compared to a 48 for Top Executive.

With Javier Matias riding, she broke alertly from the rail and dueled with heavily favored Anothersunnyday through a wicked first-quarter in 21.45 seconds. After what seemed like a taxing duel, it was a bit of a shock to see her draw off.

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Lucarelli wasn’t expecting that kind of performance, especially since Time for Gold finished third when she debuted in a $25,000 maiden claimer on July 8. Considering her debut, it wasn’t surprising she paid $27.40.

“I liked her but didn’t think she would blow them away like she did,” he said. “She didn’t work fast, but Javier said she really improved in her two works between races.”

The way the race was developing had Lucarelli thinking she was probably toast.

“It was kind of funny,” he said. “I had two other horses in the race and after I saw the quarter-mile time I started looking for them, hoping they would pick up the pieces. I liked where they were, but when I looked back, she was starting to draw away. She just kept rolling, too. Let’s just say I was pleasantly surprised.”

Lucarelli’s Managinbrianna was the runner-up. His other horse, In the Vault, finished fourth.

The only other stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Emerald this year is the Barbara Shinpoch. If Time for Gold rolls there, she could come back to face boys in the $60,000 Gottstein Futurity, which is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 4.

“We’re just looking at the next race,” Lucarelli said. “She is doing great right now, and hopefully we can keep her together for the next month.”

Omache Kid seeks 4th win at meet

Omache Kid, the only three-time winner at the current meet, will be among the favorites in Wednesday’s feature. The 6 1/2-furlong race for 3-year-olds and up running for a top claiming price of $12,500 goes as race 10 on the 11-race card that begins at 2:25 p.m. Pacific.

The 6-year-old Washington-bred son of Polish Miner is coming off a victory at the same level and distance July 22. He was making his first start for trainer Tena Birdwell, who had claimed him for $6,250 on July 9. Omache Kid has tactical speed and could get the right kind of trip with Alex Cruz retaining the mount. He will break from post 3 in the nine-horse field.