From Emerald Downs Publicity
AUBURN, Wash. (June 15, 2014) – Using a strong closing kick, Stryker Phd made a triumphant return to action Sunday at Emerald Downs.
The Washington-bred son of California stallion Bertrando, runner-up in the 2013 Longacres Mile, Stryker Phd drew clear for a 3 ¼-length victory in stakes-record time in the $50,000 Budweiser Handicap for 3-year-olds and up.
Ridden by Leslie Mawing at 119 lbs., Stryker Phd ran one mile in 1:34.15—breaking the mark shared by Westsideclyde and R. Associate—and paid $10.80, $6 and $4.60. Larry Ross, who took over training duties from Margo Lloyd this spring, now conditions Stryker Phd for owners Jim and Mona Hour of Bellevue, Wash.
Mr. Bowling, ridden by David G. Lopez at 118 lbs., finished second and paid $5.40 and $4.20. Canadian shipper Shooting Jacket, a 29-to-1 long shot ridden by Eliska Kubinova at 116 lbs, rallied to finish third and paid $15 to show.
Jebrica, the defending champion and 3-to-1 betting favorite, finished fourth, followed by Twistrgrips, Dontmesswithkitten, Hudson Landing, Why Not Be Perfect, Mike Man’s Gold and Pepnic.
In ninth place early, Stryker Phd made a sweeping move on the last turn to gain command into the stretch, and then drew off through the lane for a powerful victory. It was an emphatic win by the 5-year-old gelding, who gained notoriety last year by finishing second in all four stakes for older horses.
“We’ve been training him just how we wanted him to run today,” Mawing said. “We wanted him to come from off the pace. I knew there was going to be a lot of speed today. All I needed to do was lie off the pace and make one big run.
“As long as this horse has something to run at, he’s going to give you 150 percent. Hopefully, we have a lot more wins by the end of the season.”
A Washington-bred by Bertrando-Striking Scholar, Stryker Phd is 3-4-4 in 14 starts with earnings of $155,251, including $27,500 for the Budweiser victory.
Based on Sunday, Stryker Phd would be considered the top local contender for the $200,000 Longacres Mile (G3) on August 24. The $50,000 Mt. Rainier Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 20 is the final local tune-up.