Arrowthegreat takes over down the stretch at Longacres Mile

AUBURN – The door opened wide for Arrowthegreat, and he charged through it Sunday to win the Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs.

Entering the stretch run of the Northwest’s richest horse race, the 3-2 favorite clung to the rail in fourth place, a few lengths behind a trio of frontrunners. As tiring leader Masen carried the others wide into the homestretch, Arrowthegreat was gathering momentum. Daylight opened up in front of him at the perfect time, and he surged through the opening and drew off to a convincing 2¼-length victory.

Brian Malarkey, the celebrity chef who leads Arrowthegreat’s ownership group, translated a few words from young jockey Manuel Americano: “He said, ‘I came around that corner and I hit another gear.’”

Arrowthegreat was expected to be among the pacesetters from his No. 1 post position, so it surprised his trainer, Southern California-based Dan Blacker, when he settled in fourth position down the backstretch, about five lengths behind the leaders in the 10-horse field. He credited Americano for the savvy ride, which saw him stick to the rail and take the shortest route home in the $125,000 stakes race. “I kind of expected him to be a little closer, but Manny rode him well,” Blacker said. “He was patient. Thankfully the rail opened up, which helped us. He’s a great horse and I’m really thankful to have him.”

With the win, Arrowthegreat, a 5-year-old gelding, ran his career record to four wins from 16 starts, with all four victories coming in eight attempts at the 1-mile distance. He paid $5.08 to win as the 3-2 favorite, earning $68,750 for his owners. He finished the mile in a quick 1:34.41.

Clovisconnection disputed the early pace and held on well to finish second in the Mile for the second straight year. He paid $4.66 to place, and long-shot Bearings made a belated rally for third, paying $7.70 to show.

Slew’s Tiz Whiz, the 2022 Mile winner who was seeking to finish in the money for the fourth straight year, never threatened and finished a well-beaten seventh.

The Mile headlined an 11-race card that featured six stakes races, several of which had improbable outcomes. Bettors wagered an Emerald Downs single-day record of $3,305,806, just shy of the state record of $3,339,087, set Sept. 21, 1992, at Longacres.