From Emerald Downs Publicity
AUBURN, Wash. (Sept. 18, 2022) — In just her second start of 2022, the Charlie Essex and Petra Lewis owned 4-year-old Blazingbellablu, a Washington-bred daughter of California stallion Grazen, won Sunday’s $50,000 Washington Cup Fillies and Mare Stakes presented by Freight NW at Emerald Downs.
When it got down to the final 100 yards of the 1 1/16 mile race, jockey Kevin Radke went to work on Blazingbellablu as they surged past Zippin Sevenz and Alex Cruz to win by 1/2 length. Zippin Sevenz was the early leader and led into deep stretch for trainer Alan Bozell. She was a heavily backed second choice at similar odds of the winner (11/10).
“I could have had those two (Zippin Sevenz and Brilliant Bird) at anytime down the backstretch,” Radke said emphatically in the Cutwater Winner’s Circle.
“She got a little sick earlier this year and came back strong,” said trainer Essex. The 4-year-old gray/roan ran the 1 1/16 mile contest in 1:42.70 as the 11/10 favorite.