AUBURN, Wash. (April 9, 2016) – Before a large sun-kissed crowd, Emerald Downs launched its 21st season of live Thoroughbred action with a nine-race card Saturday afternoon.

Leslie Mawing and Rocco Bowen were the riding stars; each recording three wins including Bowen’s resilient victory aboard Jerre to Carrie in the featured $20,500 Muckleshoot Casino Purse for 3-year-old fillies.

Owned by Ron Crockett Inc., Jerre to Carrie ran six furlongs in 1:08.70 on a fast track, edging B C Z Middleton by a head, and paid $7.80, $4 and $2.60. Tom Wenzel is the winning trainer.

B C Z Middleton overtook Jerre to Carrie into the stretch, but Jerre to Carrie fought back from the inside and prevailed after a stretch long battle.

Ridden by Jose Zunino, B C Z Middleton paid $5.40 and $3.40.

My Heart Goes On, the 6-5 betting favorite with Javier Matias riding, ran evenly to finish third and paid $2.40 to show. Last year’s state champion 2-year-old filly, My Heart Goes On appeared a tad washy in the warm-up and lacked her customary punch.

Grindstone Shine, Kiss My Lulu and Sugarseeker completed the order of finish.

Rocketing to the lead from the outside post, Jerre to Carrie led through fractions of :21.92 and :44.24 before yielding command to B C Z Middleton, but showed her mettle to rally back for the victory.

“Today was a huge win, and showed that she’s going in the right direction,” Bowen said. “These were good fillies she beat today.”

A Kentucky-bred by Congrats-Kids Kooler, Jerre to Carrie is 2-1-1 in six career starts with earnings of $33,100 including $11,275 for Saturday’s victory.

A slew of longshots led to a pair of Sunday carryovers—$5,643 in the 50 cent Pick 5 and $3,042 in the new 20 cent Pick 7 which features a reduced 16.1 percent takeout.

NOTES: Forbidden Kee—the longest shot on the board at 8.20-1—won the 2016 season opener by a nose over Vistarella in 1:10.14 for six furlongs. Bowen rode the winner for trainer/co-owner Roddina Barrett. . .Venerable Lizzy Lass ($26.80) rallied under Javier Matias for a last-to-first victory in race four trainer Roy Lumm. The 8-year-old Washington-bred mare has 15 career wins including 12 victories at Emerald Downs. . .Thisdewarsforyou ($43.60) posted a big upset with a gate-to-wire victory under Ronald Richard in race seven. . .The biggest surprise, however, was in the ninth race as Original Avenue collared 6-5 favorite La Brisa in the final strides for a $92 stunner. Luis Medina, riding his first Emerald Downs winner, was up for owner/trainer Brian Lusk. . .2015 Gottstein Futurity winner Gold Rush Dancerfinished second in Saturday’s $200,000 Echo Eddie Stakes for 3-year-old California-breds at Santa Anita. Gary Stevens rode Gold Rush Dancer for trainer Vann Belvoir and owner John Parker. Parker also finished second with Vistarella in Saturday’s opener at Emerald Downs. . . Noosito breezed five furlongs in :59.60 Saturday morning for trainer Doris Harwood and Last Rose Stable. The 5-year-old son of Harbor the Gold is a top contender for the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on August 14. . .Live racing resumes Sunday with a 10-race card at 2 p.m. The $21,000 feature race is a prep race for next month’s $50,000 Governor’s Stakes with Scat Daddybaby the 5-2 morning line choice.

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