---
title: "Emerald Downs Picks Today: Can Cruz Clean Up Before Championship Sunday?"
canonical: "https://readhorseracing.com/2026/08/08/emerald-downs-picks-today/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Richard Gore"
section: "News"
published: "2026-08-08T14:50:00Z"
modified: "2026-08-08T14:50:00Z"
---

# Emerald Downs Picks Today: Can Cruz Clean Up Before Championship Sunday?

## The Bottom Line

- **Vino Viking (4:29pm PT)** — the 9/5 morning-line favorite in the card’s richest race, a $23,000 maiden special weight, for the potent Tom Wenzel/Frank Alvarado combination.
- **Sweet Shoppe (1:50pm PT)** — solid 6/5 chalk to get the card off on the right foot in the opening maiden claimer.
- **Unbridled Scholar (6:04pm PT)** — Blaine Wright’s runner looks the one to beat at 5/2 in the mile starter allowance.
- **River Dance (6:34pm PT)** — 3/1 in the nightcap and a fair price to anchor the late Pick 4.

## Meeting Context

Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington rolls out a 10-race Saturday card with first post at 1:50pm PT, and there’s a distinct calm-before-the-storm feel about it. There are no stakes today — this is the final Saturday before Championship Sunday on August 16, when the 91st running of the Longacres Mile headlines a six-stakes blockbuster that smashed the track’s all-time handle record last year.

What we get instead is bread-and-butter Pacific Northwest racing: claimers, starter allowances and a pair of maiden events, all on the main dirt track, with seven of the ten races run at either six furlongs or the one-turn mile. August in Auburn usually means a fast, honest strip, and warm, dry weather is expected — no surface excuses today.

The jockey colony angle is impossible to ignore: perennial leading rider Alex Cruz has eight mounts, several of them favorites, and the meet’s dominant barns — Frank Lucarelli, Tom Wenzel and Blaine Wright — are all represented in the spots that matter. For the bigger Saturday stages elsewhere, see our [Del Mar picks today](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/08/08/del-mar-picks-today/) and our [Saratoga preview](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/08/08/saratoga-picks-today/).

Here are our Emerald Downs picks today, race by race. All times Pacific; morning-line odds correct at time of writing.

## Race 1 — 1:50pm PT: Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Boss Girl | Blake Nunnally | Howard F. Gibson | 3/1 |
| 2 | My Eliana | Alex V. Anaya | Jorge Rosales | 7/2 |
| 3 | Bernie’s Big Baby | Pablo E. Castillo | Bruce Dillenbeck | 20/1 |
| 4 | Sweet Shoppe | Kevin E. Orozco | Kay Penney Cooper | 6/5 |
| 5 | Smoothie Ryder | Talliyah Timentwa | Jorge Rosales | 4/1 |

**The Favorites:** Sweet Shoppe is a clear 6/5 morning-line choice for Kay Penney Cooper, and with only four rivals in a bottom-level maiden claimer she won’t need to improve much.

**The Value:** Jorge Rosales saddles two of the five, and My Eliana at 7/2 is the more interesting half of the entry-in-spirit, stretching out to a mile.

**The Verdict:** **Sweet Shoppe** to kick the card off, with My Eliana underneath in the exacta.

## Race 2 — 2:21pm PT: Claiming, 6 Furlongs

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Time Ticker | Alex M. Cruz | Howard F. Gibson | 6/5 |
| 2 | There Goes My Hero | Pablo E. Castillo | Steve Henson | 9/2 |
| 3 | Real Good Magic | Silvio Ruiz Amador | Alexis Silva-Martinez | 9/5 |
| 4 | Slew Skies | Kevin Krigger | Ramiro Meraz Martinez | 10/1 |
| 5 | Our Bloke | Lenny A. Seecharan | Ian Jewell | 5/1 |

**The Favorites:** This is effectively a two-horse market: Time Ticker (6/5) gets Alex Cruz for Howard Gibson, while Real Good Magic (9/5) is the obvious danger from an inside-out trip.

**The Value:** Our Bloke at 5/1 for Ian Jewell can outrun his price if the top two hook up early at this sharp trip.

**The Verdict:** **Time Ticker** — Cruz on the favorite at Emerald is the most reliable formula in Washington racing.

## Race 3 — 2:51pm PT: Claiming, 1 Mile

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Jess in Time | Kevin Krigger | Tim McCanna | 2/1 |
| 2 | Speed It Up | Adrian Castellanos | Melissa Ledford | 7/2 |
| 3 | Hacksaw Mountain | Alex V. Anaya | Jose Navarro | 10/1 |
| 4 | Fruit Lutes | Alex M. Cruz | Rosie Simkins | 5/2 |
| 5 | Oscar Production | Silvio Ruiz Amador | Scott Tubbs | 3/1 |

**The Favorites:** A tight heat. Jess in Time (2/1) represents the vastly experienced Tim McCanna barn, with Fruit Lutes (5/2) and Oscar Production (3/1) both within a point on the line.

**The Value:** Speed It Up at 7/2 from the two-hole could get an easy lead in a race without much pace.

**The Verdict:** **Jess in Time** narrowly, but this is a race to spread in the rolling exotics.

## Race 4 — 3:23pm PT: Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Simply Smiles | Alex M. Cruz | Dan L. Markle | 2/1 |
| 2 | Carita Linda | Talliyah Timentwa | Tim McCanna | 7/2 |
| 3 | Belle of Edmonds | Isaias D. Enriquez | Frank Lucarelli | 9/2 |
| 4 | She’s Just Grand | Pablo E. Castillo | Frank Lucarelli | 5/1 |
| 5 | Little Minnie Mo | Silvio Ruiz Amador | Cliff Balcom | 3/1 |
| 6 | Infernal Tori | Lenny A. Seecharan | Alan Bozell | 12/1 |

**The Favorites:** Simply Smiles is 2/1 with Cruz aboard, but note Frank Lucarelli — Emerald’s multiple champion trainer — fires two bullets with Belle of Edmonds (9/2) and She’s Just Grand (5/1).

**The Value:** Belle of Edmonds is the pick of the Lucarelli pair at the price.

**The Verdict:** **Simply Smiles**, with the Lucarelli duo for the trifecta.

## Race 5 — 3:56pm PT: Starter Allowance, 6 Furlongs

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Bells and Whistles | Frank T. Alvarado | Gary E. O. Greiner | 12/1 |
| 2 | Eyelight | Isaias D. Enriquez | Frank Lucarelli | 7/2 |
| 3 | Can’tdealwithit | Kevin E. Orozco | David B. Martinez | 3/1 |
| 4 | Clubhouse Drama | Blake Nunnally | Howard F. Gibson | 5/2 |
| 5 | Flyin By | Silvio Ruiz Amador | Kimberley Johnston | 5/1 |
| 6 | Bronze Girl | Adrian Castellanos | Jorge Maravilla | 4/1 |

**The Favorites:** Clubhouse Drama (5/2) gives Howard Gibson a third live favorite on the card, with Can’tdealwithit (3/1) and the Lucarelli-trained Eyelight (7/2) close up.

**The Value:** Bronze Girl at 4/1 for Jorge Maravilla is interesting dropping into a winnable starter spot.

**The Verdict:** **Clubhouse Drama** in a competitive sprint.

## Race 6 — 4:29pm PT: Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Vino Viking | Frank T. Alvarado | Tom Wenzel | 9/5 |
| 2 | Illusion of Choice | Javier Matias | Marshall Allen | 7/2 |
| 3 | Favored Son | Jennifer Whitaker | Howard Belvoir | 5/1 |
| 4 | Il Vincenzo | Isaias D. Enriquez | Melissa Ledford | 12/1 |
| 5 | Subtle Prince | Adrian Castellanos | Tom Wenzel | 8/1 |
| 6 | Livin Right | Alex V. Anaya | Jorge Rosales | 10/1 |
| 7 | Annabelle’s Asset | Alex M. Cruz | Faustino Patino | 8/1 |
| 8 | Cozumel | Silvio Ruiz Amador | Blaine D. Wright | 10/1 |

**The Favorites:** The $23,000 maiden special weight is the day’s richest and deepest race, and Wenzel — who has won more Longacres Miles than any active trainer — saddles both the 9/5 favorite Vino Viking and Subtle Prince (8/1). The eight-strong field makes it the betting race of the day.

**The Value:** Cozumel (10/1) for Blaine Wright and the Cruz-ridden Annabelle’s Asset (8/1) are the logical upset candidates in the biggest field of the day.

**The Verdict:** **Vino Viking** — our best bet on the card. These Wenzel firsters and second-timers tend to be ready.

## Race 7 — 5:02pm PT: Claiming, 1 Mile

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Chatty Leroybrown | Allyssa Morales | Michael Puhich | 4/1 |
| 2 | Solo Un Beso | Blake Nunnally | Rigoberto Velasquez | 6/1 |
| 3 | Lucy L | Adrian Castellanos | Rigoberto Velasquez | 7/2 |
| 4 | Escapefromparadise | Alex V. Anaya | Liz Kowalski | 20/1 |
| 5 | Acclaimed Preacher | Silvio Ruiz Amador | Marcelino Trujillo | 3/1 |
| 6 | Thirsty Nic | Alex M. Cruz | Ramiro Meraz Martinez | 5/2 |
| 7 | Pocket Knife | Lenny A. Seecharan | Doug A. Carlson | 15/1 |

**The Favorites:** Thirsty Nic (5/2, Cruz again) heads a wide-open claiming mile from Acclaimed Preacher (3/1) and Lucy L (7/2), one half of a Velasquez pair.

**The Value:** Chatty Leroybrown at 4/1 for Michael Puhich, a barn that always has its milers fit.

**The Verdict:** **Thirsty Nic**, but keep stakes sensible — this is the trappiest race on the card.

## Race 8 — 5:34pm PT: Claiming, 1 Mile

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Upstart Yankee | Blake Nunnally | Jorge Maravilla | 9/5 |
| 2 | Dekudylan | Alex M. Cruz | Scott Tubbs | 4/1 |
| 3 | Gordy’s Boy | Alex V. Anaya | Guillermo Preciado | 12/1 |
| 4 | Prowling Cat | Silvio Ruiz Amador | Jorge Rosales | 5/2 |
| 5 | K R Rules | Kevin Krigger | Jose Puentes | 8/1 |
| 6 | Ruler of Angels | Kevin E. Orozco | Marcelino Trujillo | 10/1 |
| 7 | Tex Hanley | Allyssa Morales | Robert Gilker | 6/1 |

**The Favorites:** Upstart Yankee is a warm order at 9/5 from the rail, with Prowling Cat (5/2) the main threat for the in-form Rosales barn.

**The Value:** Dekudylan (4/1) gives Cruz and Scott Tubbs a live longer-priced play, and Tex Hanley (6/1) hits the board more often than not.

**The Verdict:** **Upstart Yankee** to make his own luck on the front end.

## Race 9 — 6:04pm PT: Starter Allowance, 1 Mile

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | C’S Lilly Dancer | Kevin Krigger | Scott Tubbs | 4/1 |
| 2 | Exington | Adrian Castellanos | Francisco Rodriguez | 8/1 |
| 3 | Nephele | Alex M. Cruz | Scott Tubbs | 7/2 |
| 4 | Bangie Go | Blake Nunnally | Charles Essex | 3/1 |
| 5 | Unbridled Scholar | Kevin E. Orozco | Blaine D. Wright | 5/2 |
| 6 | Vulin | Silvio Ruiz Amador | Gary E. O. Greiner | 5/1 |

**The Favorites:** Unbridled Scholar (5/2) carries the colors of the powerful Blaine Wright stable in the $14,000 starter mile, with Bangie Go (3/1) and the Tubbs pair of Nephele and C’S Lilly Dancer next in the market.

**The Value:** Vulin at 5/1 for Gary Greiner is overpriced on consistency.

**The Verdict:** **Unbridled Scholar** — Wright doesn’t run them here unless they’re primed.

## Race 10 — 6:34pm PT: Claiming, 1 Mile

| No | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Army Knife | Blake Nunnally | Doug A. Carlson | 12/1 |
| 2 | River Dance | Alex M. Cruz | Scott Freeman | 3/1 |
| 3 | Coconut Dreams | Silvio Ruiz Amador | Kimberley Johnston | 12/1 |
| 4 | Chokechery Shari | Allyssa Morales | James L. Gilmour | 15/1 |
| 5 | Bella Ciao Ciao | Kevin Krigger | Faustino Patino | 7/2 |
| 6 | Booster Club | Kevin E. Orozco | David B. Martinez | 9/2 |
| 7 | Swift Caro | Frank T. Alvarado | Tom Wenzel | 5/1 |
| 8 | Happy Is | Adrian Castellanos | Marcelino Trujillo | 6/1 |

**The Favorites:** River Dance (3/1, Cruz) and Bella Ciao Ciao (7/2) head an eight-runner finale that closes the late Pick 5.

**The Value:** Swift Caro (5/1) gives Wenzel a live closer if the nightcap pace gets hot.

**The Verdict:** **River Dance** to send the crowd home happy — and to send Cruz to the winner’s circle one more time.

## Accumulator

Our four-leg parlay for Auburn: **Sweet Shoppe (1:50pm, 6/5)**, **Vino Viking (4:29pm, 9/5)**, **Unbridled Scholar (6:04pm, 5/2)** and **River Dance (6:34pm, 3/1)** — combined odds around **85/1** at the morning line.

If you’re building a bigger multi-track Saturday ticket, our [Canterbury Park picks today](https://readhorseracing.com/2026/08/08/canterbury-park-picks-today/) dovetail nicely with this evening card. And circle next Sunday: Championship Sunday and the 91st Longacres Mile is the day Emerald Downs has been building toward all summer.

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