Gutierrez could have big day

It is a shame fans will not be on hand at Emerald Downs on Wednesday to applaud Juan Gutierrez and Mike Man’s Gold.

Gutierrez has an excellent chance of becoming the alltime leading rider in terms of wins at Emerald. With 1,418 victories, he is one behind Gallyn Mitchell. Gutierrez’s mounts at Emerald have earned $15,228,161, which is the most at the Auburn, Wash., track.

Gutierrez has a mount in every race on the nine-race card, which kicks off at 2:25 p.m. Pacific. Beginning in the second race with Mike Operator, four of Gutierrez’s mounts are the consensus favorite in the Daily Racing Form.

Mike Man’s Gold has had his picture taken more times than any horse at Emerald, 23, and has an excellent chance of extending his two-win lead over West Seattle Boy in the seventh race, a $3,500 starter that has a $7,500 claiming option. He will break from post 4 in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for 3-yearolds and up, which has seven starters.

Trained by Joe Toye, Mike Man’s Gold was a big overlay when he paid $14.20 for his 2 1/4-length victory over Iron Rob at the same level and distance on Sept. 30.

With Gary Wales riding, Mike Man’s Gold forced an honest pace before drawing off to win decisively. The 10-yearold Washington-bred son of Liberty Gold was making his second start at the meet and could be sitting on another strong performance in the third start of his form cycle with Wales retaining the mount.

Mirror Image and Golden Cowboy are the main threats.

Mirror Image usually stalks the pace, and could get a nice trip if Mike Man’s Gold and Golden Cowboy hook up early. A 6-year-old gelding by Southern Image, Mirror Image is coming off a third-place finish going a mile and a sixteenth at the same level on Sept. 23. He should be fine with the move back to a sprint. In his first start at the meet, he won a $10,000 claimer going 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 5.

Mirror Image will break from post 6 with leading rider Alex Cruz picking up the mount from Wales.

Golden Cowboy looked good winning a $6,250 claiming race for trainer Frank Lucarelli on Oct. 1, and the 74 Beyer he received is the best last-race figure in the field.

The 5-year-old son of Gold Aly is versatile, which will give jockey Cerapio Figueroa more than one option leaving from the outside post.

A winner of three of his last four starts, Golden Cowboy will be making his first start for trainer Cliff Balcom, who claimed him from Lucarelli on behalf of Isaac Cawston.

◗ Track president Phil Ziegler said Emerald is increasing purses by 10 percent for the final three weeks of the meet.

“We have been pleased at the increased betting on our races plus the increased wagering by Washington residents through the advanced deposit companies,” said Ziegler.

Through 30 days of live racing, all-sources handle is averaging $1,871,799, up 67 percent over last year.