From Emerald Downs Publicity
AUBURN, Wash. (June 18, 2023) – California invader Clovisconnection powered home to a record-setting 4 ¼-length victory over Lloyds Logic in the $50,000 Auburn Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings Sunday at Emerald Downs.
With Kevin Radke aboard at high weight of 123 lbs., Clovisonnection covered six furlongs in 1:07.59 and paid $3.60 as the odds-on favorite in a field of six. Blaine Wright—saddling his fourth consecutive Auburn Stakes winner—is the trainer for owner/breeder William Hedrick of Clovis, Calif.
The winning time is the fastest six furlongs of the meeting and eclipsed the stakes record of 1:07.98 set by Baja Sur in 2019.
Breaking alertly from the No. 1 post, Clovisconnection slipped through to take command into the turn, powered clear while running a half-mile in a blistering :43.59 and proved much the best in his local debut.
A California-bred son of Vronsky, Clovisconnection earned $27,500 to boost his career total to $133,880. His overall record is 4-1-0 from seven starts including a triumph in the 2022 Golden Nugget on Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields.
Wright is third all-time with 53 Emerald Downs stakes wins including four straight in the Auburn—Baja Sur (2019), Top Executive (2012), Executive Chef (2022), and Clovisconnection.
“It’s a credit to the owners, they put some great horses in our hands,” Wright said.
Lloyds Logic, ridden by Jose Zunino at 119 lbs, chased the winner home and was clearly second best in his 2023 debut, finishing 5 ¾ lengths clear of third-place finisher Company’s Dream. The 2022 Gottstein Futurity winner, Lloyds Logic earned $10,000 and upped his ledger to 2-2-1 from six starts with earnings of $70,600.
Company’s Dream, ridden by Ezequiel Lara at 119 lbs., was followed by Royal Halo, Stealing Hearts, and Table Bay. Jin Tong was scratched earlier in the day.
The $50,000 Irish Day Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs is next for 3-year-old colts and geldings on Sunday, July 16.