From Emerald Downs Publicity
AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 4, 2024) – California-bred Si That Tiger appears to be the fastest 2-year-old at Emerald Downs in 2024.
In Sunday’s $50,000 WTBOA Lads Stakes, Si That Tiger took command around the turn and powered home to a convincing 5 ½-length victory, covering 6 ½ furlongs in a fast 1:16.33. Silvio Amador rode the winner at 121 lbs. for trainer Blaine Wright and the ownership partnership of John and Janene Maryanski and Gerald and Gail Schneider, all of Auburn, Wash.
A $20,000 yearling purchase, Si That Tiger has won two straight by a combined 12 ¾ lengths following a trouble-filled debut eight weeks ago. Including Sunday’s first-place check worth $27,500, his earnings now stand at $41,900.
Sandwiched between Kiss the Tiger and stablemate Vivacious Tribute on the backstretch, Si That Tiger spurted clear on the turn while running the half in :44.54, a potentially taxing fraction for a 2-year-old in early August. No problem, however, as the favorite finished with a flourish in a dazzling performance.
“I thought he’d run good, but I didn’t know he had that (kind of race) in him right now,” Wright said in the post-race interview.
A son of Smiling Tiger bred by Darlyne Krieg, Si That Tiger is out of Ros’s Girl, whose progeny include two-time Washington Horse of the Year Slew’s Tiz Whiz.
Wright now has four stakes wins at the meet, one better than Tom Wenzel, and those two are tied for second place all-time with 59 stakes wins at Emerald Downs.
Impassable, ridden by Javier Matias at 119 lbs., finished well for second place, 5 ½ lengths in front of third-place Big Bowie, with Verdi. Bodi Zafa, Kiss the Tiger and Vivacious Tribute rounding out the full order of finish.
He’s Not Talking was scratched earlier in the day.