From Emerald Downs Publicity
AUBURN, Wash. (June 18, 2021) — In the $50,000 Hastings Stakes for older fillies and mares, California-bred Ima Happy Cat took the early lead and was never headed while rolling to a 2 ¼-length victory over Squan’s Kingdom in 1:08.50 for six furlongs
Ridden by Julien Couton at 119 pounds, Ima Happy Cat set fractions of :21.89, :44.10 and :56.10, opened a commanding five-length advantage into the stretch, and held sway to the wire.
Trained by Dan Markle for owners Sue and Tim Spooner of Olympia, Ima Happy Cat paid 11.60 as third choice in the wagering. Ima Happy Cat now has three stakes wins at Emerald Downs, including the last two runnings of the Hastings Stakes.
Ima Happy Cat, a 6-year-old California-bred by Smiling Tiger, has an overall mark of 8-5-3 in 27 starts with earnings of $274,962. Thursday’s win was worth $27,500.
Daffodil Sweet, the 4 to 5 betting favorite, hesitated leaving the starting gate and never got untracked Thursday, losing for the first time in a sprint.
“The plan was to lay behind (Daffodil Sweet) but we broke on top, dropped down to the rail, and she ran a great race,” Couton said.
Squan’s Kingdom, the longest price on the board at 14 to 1, rallied from fifth to finish second under apprentice Joree Scriver. Killarney Lass, ridden by Eddie Martinez, finished third, and Coco Bee, Dontkissntell, Uno Trouble Maker and Daffodil Sweet rounded out the order of finish.