From Emerald Downs Publicity
AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 12, 2018) — California-bred Reginella took command three-eighths from home and held off stable mate Top Quality through the stretch for a 2 ¾-length victory in the $50,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares.
Ridden by Juan Hernandez at 119 lbs, Reginella ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.68 and paid $11.60, $3.60 and $2.80. Blaine Wright—who dominated this year’s older filly and mare series—is the winning trainer for breeders/owners Luigi DiPietro of Seattle and Diana DiPietro of Tukwila.
A 4-year-old California-bred by Ministers Wild Cat-Ghost Tree, Ministers Wild Cat earned $26,675 to boost her bankroll to $131,642. Her overall record is 3-4-4 in 20 starts. She was bred by
Wright capped an unprecedented feat with the victory, sweeping the four-race series with four different winners: Invested Prospect (Hastings Stakes), Alliford Bay (Washington State Legislators Stakes), Top Quality (Boeing Stakes) and Reginella (Emerald Distaff).
Top Quality, the 3 to 5 favorite, loomed boldly in mid-stretch but Reginella had energy in reserve for the victory. Ridden by Kevin Orozco at 122 lbs, Top Quality paid $2.20 and $2.10.
No Talking Back, ridden by Anne Sanguinetti, finished third and paid $3.80. A 4-year-old Washington-bred filly, No Talking Back is 2-1-2 in five starts at the meet including stakes placings in the Washington State Legislators, Boeing Stakes and Emerald Distaff.
Daz Lin Dawn finished fourth to give Wright three of the top four finishers in the Distaff, while Little Dancer, Blazinbeauty, Jerre to Carrie and Grace Bay completed the order of finish.