Horse Racing: Emerald Downs Final Super Stakes Sunday! 4 Champions Crowned dominated by Todaro/Wenzel team

9/6/2026

(Auburn, WA) The final Sunday of ther 2026 live season is also the final Super Stakes Sunday with four Stakes races capping off the 10-race card.

The four Stakes races on tap were in the 7th the 2nd running of the Muckleshoot Juvenile Filly, the 8th race was the 59th Muckleshoot Tribal Distaff, the 9th race was the 84th Muckleshoot Tribal Classic and the 10th race was the 86th edition of the Gottstein Futurity. All four Stakes races offered a $50,000 purse.

It was a huge day for the George Todaro/Tom Wenzel team collecting 3 of the 4 Championships. They also had an exacta and trifecta finish in two of those Stakes races.

Our coverage below begins with the four stakes races in order of how the ran followed by the other six races on the Sunday card.

The Track Wire track notes will be minimal today with a focus on the final four stakes races. We’ll have a lot more coverage after Monday’s finale with final jockey, trainer and owner standings and season ending awards.

The Track Wire

By Vince Bruun

Sunday’s 10-race card handled $1,639,231. . .Silvio Amador rode two winners and owns an eight-win lead over Adrian Castellanos, 67-59, heading into closing day. . .On the trainer’s side, Howie Gibson leads Jorge Rosales 32-30, with Tom Wenzel third at 29. . .Blake Nunnally and Frank Alvarado rode two winners each. . .Joe Toye saddled two winners. . .Sunday’s fifth race—Sunshine Sally & Jovial Joe Appreciation Purse–-honored Sally and Joe Steiner, longtime proprietors of the Quarter Chute Café and among the most popular couples in Northwest racing history. . .Ace handicapper Chris Larmey was at the track to promote his excellent new book Betting On Horses, available at betwiththebestmedia.com. . .In addition to the Tribal Distaff at Emerald Downs, Blaine Wright won the Sunday opener at Del Mar with 37 to 1 longshot Music Artist. . .The curtain comes down on the 2026 meet Monday, first post 1:50 p.m. The program features a pair of $30,000 Cupcakes and Carrots starter allowances at a mile and one-sixteenth.

Todaro/Wenzel incredible day

The Todaro/Wenzel team had 8 runners in the 4 stake races and finished 3-3-1-1. Yep, 3 wins, 3 places a show and a 4th. That’s a 38% win rate, 88% top 3 and 100% superfecta finish. They banked a combined total of $121,500 of the $200,000 offered in the Stakes pourses for the day or in percent terms, the Todaro/Wenzel team took home 61% of purse money. Pretty good day to say the least. 

The Betting Window

The $0.10 Jackpot Pick 6 carryover is $12,939.75 with a mandatory payout Monday.  On Sunday 6 of 6 paid $1,022. The Pick 5 returned a healthy $8,816.64. 

In the 10th race, the Gottstein futurity, Owner George Todaro and trainer Tom Wenzel won their 5th Gottstein from the past 6 years. But they also placed 2nd and 3rd for an all Todaro/Wenzel trifecta. For those who played the 8-6-7 combination they got back $35.83 or a 70-1 return.

Kristin Lee ($2.32) capped a splendid season with another handy victory, her fourth of the meet, in 1:09.25 for Coco Patino and Schmidt Happens Racing.  The $2.32 was the 2nd lowest $2 win pay of the season. Handsome Ticket back on July 24 paid just $2.28.

2026 Super Stakes Sunday #4

7th Race 2nd running of the Muckleshoot Juvenile Filly

Six lined up to go the 6 1/2 furlongs but all eyes were on the expected match race between 4-5 morningline favorite Mattie Goincoastal and 8-5 morningline 2nd choice Playa Luna. In their first showdown Mattie Goincoastal led start to finish and won by 2 1/2 lengths and improved to a perfect 3-0. Kevin Orozco had ridden Mattie in all 3 of her wins and was back again on Sunday for trainer Howie Gibson.

Playa Luna with the red hot Adrian Castellanos in the saddle for the first time for trainer Tom Wenzel as they were back for the second showdown against Mattie.

When the gates opened Playa Luna was off a step slow and Mattie Goincoastal took the lead for Orozco. Howie Gibson’s other runner, Kingstown Mayor was also in the pace group as Playa Luna rebounded the trio went a blazing 21.67. Mattie then edged out to about a length lead at the quarter pole going 44.98 for the half mile.

Turning for home the closers were making up ground and Wenzel’s other entry, Make Mo Mine with Frank Alvarado were in full flight. Make Mo Mine pulled even with Mattie just before the 1/8th pole and went on by for to win it by a comfortable 4 lengths in a final time of 1:17.75.

Stablemate Playa Luna and Castellanos ran on well for 2nd, outsider Champagne Delight and Silvio Amador also closed from far back along the rail to get 3rd while Mattie Goincoastal tired to 4th. Start Dreamin ended up 5th and Kingstown Mayor finished 6th.

Make Mo Mine races for the George Todaro team and trained by Tom Wenzel and barn manager Bob Cappelletti. Jockey Frank Alvarado had his choice to ride Playa Luna or Make Mo Mine and chose the 2nd time starter with only a maiden win under her belt. 

Make Mo Mine picked up the $27,500 winners check and is now 2-0-0 from 2 lifetime starts and has banked $40,010.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-4 $16.74
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-4-1 $33.41
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-4-1-3 $12.06
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 1-2 $18.78
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-1-2 $17.93
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 3-5-1-2 $27.27

Race Replay

8th Race 59th Muckleshoot Tribal Distaff

The Distaff was all about one horse, Aloha Breeze from the powerful George Todaro team led by trainer Tom Wenzel. The 6-year-old mare has been dazzling all season going 4-0 with wins in three Stakes races the Hastings, Wa Legislators Stakes and the Distaff where she blew the doors off going 1 1/16th winning by nearly 7 lengths. Adrian Castellanos is back aboard for Sunday’s run.

The closest one to Aloha Breeze was Precise Timing from the Kay Cooper barn. The multiple stakes winner has had the challenge to face the Queen of Emerald Downs and so far hasn’t found the answer.

Aloha Breeze was hustled out of the gate by Castellanos and Precise Timing not far behind as Orozco moved off the fence to the flank of A-B. The duo set some eye-catching fractions of 22.73 and 44.89 for the 1 mile and 70 yards. On the far turn Precise Timing began cutting into A-B’s lead as they went 1:08.78 for 3/4’s.

Precise Timing got within a length or so turning for home but Aloha Breeze was not giving in. However, there was a storm looming behind the speedsters in a fast improving 3-year-old filly in Tipitap. Jockey Blake Nunnally had been running Tipitap’s race not worrying what the pace was going to be. Trainer Blaine Wright told Nunnally before the race to run our race and come running and see how many pieces we can pick up.

Wright wasn’t sure if they could catch either one but knew his runner would come running as she came storming up the rail, Aloha Breeze and Precise Timing were both tiring and started to veer out just as Tipitap found her best stride to pull off the upset winning by nearly a length and a half.

Nunnally said he knew he had a lot left and just looked for the cleanest path and that was to stay on the rail. “As a young filly she can take the dirt in her face and when it came time to go she gave me all she had, really a special little runner.” Nunnally said he knew he had a bit time shot when she changed leads effortlessly and the rail opened up.

Tipitap had been running at Santa Anita without success and shipped where the filly ran 8th in the Seattle Stakes. Since then Tipitap turned it around with a 3rd place finish in the Kent Stakes then won the Oaks on Mile day before finishing with today’s eye-catching performance knocking off the Queen Aloha Breeze.

Tipitap races for Ronald Kalina and trained by Blaine Wright. Tipitap is now 2-0-1 from 8 lifetime starts and earned $27,500. Tipitap’s bank account is now $64,275.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-3 $24.74
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-3-1 $24.69
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-3-1-7 $12.83
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-2 $3.71
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-5 $45.40
• $0.50 PICK 3 1-2-5 $73.79

Race Replay

9th Race 84th Muckleshoot Tribal Classic

The big news was before the race when fan favorite Slew’s Tiz Whiz was scratched from the Classic. A minor foot issue was the cause and trainer Tom Wenzel said he expects Slew to return for his 9-year old season in 2027.

Longacres Mile winner Adios Jojo was back to prove the Mile win, even though through a DQ, was still just a nose away from winning, wasn’t fluke. Kevin Orozco was back up on Jojo for Sunday’ run.

Jojo may find some company on the front end as Candy Caballo will likely challenge the pace fractions with Adrian Castellanos aboard. Candy’s stablemate Robin Racer was hoping for fast fractions to run at, Frank Alvarado was named to ride Robin Racer after Slew’s Tiz Whiz was scratched. Alvarado had ridden Robin to wins in the Seattle Slew and Muckleshoot Derby.

As expected Adios Jojo went to the lead with Candy Caballo and longshot Rondelito with Blake Nunnally pressing the pace. Robin Racer dropped to the back of the pack of the 1 1/16 mile run.

The pace was brisk as Adios Jojo went 22.62 and 45.46. As they approached the half mile Adios Jojo took a bad step it appeared and Kevin Orozco had to grab him quickly and pulled him out of the race on the backstretch. He was vanned off.

Meantime, the lead fell into the lap Rondelito who was not going anywhere. Candy Caballo was asked for more but Robin Racer was beginning to stir as Alvarado steered him to the outside looking for a clear run and found it.

At the top of the stretch the 3-year old colt fired another big run and Alvarado let him roll passing them all to win by a length in a final time of 1:41.33. Rondelito held on well to take the place, He’s Not Talking and Kevin Krigger ended up as the betting choice but settled for 3rd and Candy Caballo was 4th. Elder Mack finished 5th.

Alvarado said, “I just needed to make sure he was in the clear, inside, outside or in the middle it didn’t matter where just a clear path to do what he does.”

Robin Racer races for George Todaro and trained by Tom Wenzel. Robin Racer picked up $27,500 for the win to push his career earnings to $148,450. He was 4-1 from 5 starts at Emerald this season winning 3 stakes races and placing 2nd in another stake and winning an allowance run. His career record is now 5-2-0 from 9 lifetime starts.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-4 $46.83
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-4-3 $58.77
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-4-3-7 $48.34
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-5 $53.73
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-5-5 $139.61

Race Replay

Video Replay was not available

10th Race 86th Gottstein Futurity

A strong field of 8 were ready to go the 1 mile 70-yards with trainer Tom Wenzel sending out a trio of runners as Wenzel has won four of the last five Gottstein Futurities. Diamond Dasher with Allyssa Morales up just missed in the Lads by a neck to take 2nd, stablemate Ziwhat and Adrian Castellanos was 4th in the Lads and Gottherizz has a pair of 2nd’s in Maiden Special Weights.

When the gates flung open Morales pushed Diamond Dasher to the lead and breaking from the outside needed to get over to the rail. Morales had watched the other stake races and saw what happened if you couldn’t take the foot off the gas pedal. 

Morales and Diamond Dasher covered the first quarter of the 1 mile and 70 yards race in a quick 22.35. But that’s when Morales went to work settling Double D down to a 45.62 half and 1:10.67 for the 6 furlongs. This left plenty of gas in the tank and when she asked Diamond Dasher at the top of the stretch they went from a 1 length lead to 5 and it was over.

Diamond Dasher won the 5th Gottstein for the connections over the past 6 years in a final time of 1:41.03 maintaining the 5 length advantage. Her win was over both of DD’s stablemates with Gottherizz and Frank Alvarado finishing 2nd and Ziwhat taking 3rd for a Tadaro/Wenzel trifecta. 

38-1 Cape Royal and Silvio Amador ran 4th. Followed by Our Rembrandt, Polar Patrol, Candy Charmer and Bolt Action Beau.

Diamond Dasher improved to 2-1-0 from 4 lifetime starts and earned $27,500 to push hgis earnings to $54,580.

The win for Morales was her first Stakes win at Emerald Downs. This was the 3rd Stakes win of the day for Wenzel who now has 76 Stakes wins at Emerald downs adding to his all-time lead in Stakes victories.

• $1.00 EXACTA 8-6 $18.62
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 8-6-7 $35.83
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 8-6-7-1 $73.21
• $0.50 SUPERHIGHFIVE 8-6-7-1-4 $827.61
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-8 $21.79
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-5-8 $176.31
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 2-5-5-8 $509.63
• $0.50 PICK 5 5 OF 5 1-2-5-5-8 $8,816.64
• $0.10 PICK 6 6 OF 6 5-1-2-5-5-8 $1,022.34
• – PICK 6 CarryOver $12,939.75

Race Replay

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The rest of Sunday’s Races

1st Race 

A field of 5 went 6 furlongs and the track was laser fast as West Coast Bull was sent through on the rail to take the lead down the backstretch and pinged the 1st quarter in a blazing 21.51. Jockey Isaias Enriquez didn’t take his foot off the gas pedal as West Coast Bull went 43.78 for the half as he and Conrad Meadows battled on the front end. Silvio Amador pressured the front runner and down the stretch West Coast Bull got the advantaged but then had to stave off the closing favoritge Baby Waylon and Alex Cruz. West Coast Bull got the win, Baby Waylon was 2nd, Conrad Meadows ran a game 3rd while Peso and Blake Nunnally took 4th.

The final time was a quick 1:08.59 for West Coast Bull who races for TVAL Racing and Aaron Bresko and trained by Frank Lucarelli. West Coast Bull is a Washington bred by Coast Guard out of Marquet Formula by Marquetry and was bred by Jean Welch.

• $1.00 EXACTA 2-1 $11.31
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 2-1-6 $11.67
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 2-1-6-4 $6.42

Race Replay

2nd Race 

A sloppy race with multiple objections in the end after odds-on choice A Fleet Ride closed with a rush under Adrian Castellanos to get the win in a time of 1:10.86. Hat Trick Racing were the winning owners and Francisco Rodriguez the winning trainer.

Lotsa Kitty took 2nd, Silent Beauty 3rd andf Mamarando 4th. But after two objections the first Lotsa Kitty’s rider Alex Cruz claimed foul on the winner for forcing her way through in mid-stretch. That objection was rejected but the Stewards would DQ Silent Beauty for breaking out at the start of the race. It appeared both Silent Beauty and the 6 Run on Om squeezed #5 Bluelocket and was a bit surprising a DQ was upheld for the minor contact at the beginning of the race.

The official order ended up being A Fleet Ride 1st, Lotsa Kitty 2nd, Obsidian Storm and Kevin Krigger was 3rd and Mamarando under Silvio Amador was promoted to 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 8-3 $4.24
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 8-3-1 $20.11
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 8-3-1-7 $25.33
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 2-8 $12.95

Race Replay

3rd Race 

First time starter Number Thirtyfour broke quickly for Alex Anaya and never looked back in the 3-year-old filly’s career debut zipping fractions in 21.55, 44.52 and a final time of 1:10.52. Number Thirtyfour races for Terra Firma Too and Mitch Cohen and trained by Joe Toye. Number Thirtyfour is a Washington bred by Barkley out of Port Lions by Abraaj and was bred by Nina Hagen.

Stealin Stuff closed well for Pablo Castillo to get the place, Waitingonkaren was a clear 3rd for Blake Nunnally and completing the superfecta was the favorite Belle of Edmonds with Isaias Enriquez.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-2 $50.88
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-2-7 $177.49
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-2-7-6 $105.07
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 8-5 $11.63
• $0.50 PICK 3 2-8-5 $38.91

Race Replay

4th Race

The track remained fast and Bakburner took advantage going straight to the lead and never looking back. Silvio Amador pressed go and Balburner did not disappoint setting fractions of 21.95 and 44.87. Bakburner pulled away for a clear win in a final time of 1:09.18. Bakburner races for Big Yahu Team and gave trainer Joe Toye his second straight win.

Nan Elizabeth closed from far back to take 2nd for Kevin Krigger, Guide My Steps piloted by Alex Anaya got the show money and Hakuhia closed late to grab 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 3-4 $4.04
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 3-4-5 $11.85
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 3-4-5-2 $4.84
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-3 $11.64
• $0.50 PICK 3 8-5-3 $13.62
• $0.50 PICK 4 4 OF 4 2-8-5-3 $62.72

Race Replay

5th Race

Kristin Lee had no issues with speed holding track on this final Super Stakes Sunday. Silvio Amador tallied his 2nd win of the day with a stroll in the park win finishing the 6 furlongs in 1:09.25. Kristin Lee races for Schmidt Happens Racing and trained by Faustino Patino.

24-1 Gypsy Lynn and Alex Anaya tried to give trainer Joe Toye his 3rd straight win but a great effort for the place, Miss Union and Kevin Krigger took 3rd and Cut N Curl under Blake Nunnally finished 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 5-6 $8.53
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 5-6-2 $13.59
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 5-6-2-4 $20.65
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 3-5 $2.17
• $0.50 PICK 3 5-3-5 $8.99

Race Replay

6th Race

After 3 late scratches only 4 went in the 6 furlong sprint and this time the closer found the right spot to roll over the top for a last to first win. Pop D’Oro and Blake Nunnally settled into the trailing position as A View from Above and Taino House battled on the front end setting fractions of 21.88 and 44.23. The early speed took it out of the pacesetters with Taino House throwing in the towel inside the 1/8th pole with Kevin Krigger.

A View from Above was desparate for the wire as Silvio Amador urged him to finish but Pop D’Oro had built up too much momentum and roared past the tiring speed for the win in a final time of 1:09.35. Pop D’Oro is owned by Tawnja Elison and trained by Jack McCartney.

Blazing Peme and Alex Anaya finished 4th.

• $1.00 EXACTA 1-3 $7.76
• $0.50 TRIFECTA 1-3-5 $7.84
• $0.10 SUPERFECTA 1-3-5-4 $1.44
• $1.00 DAILY DOUBLE 5-1 $5.40
• $0.50 PICK 3 3-5-1 $5.98

Race Replay

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