NOOSA BEACH BECOMES FIRST TO REPEAT HORSE OF THE MEETING HONORS IN 2011

AUBURN, Wash. (Sept. 25) – Jeff Harwood’s Noosa Beach became the first horse ever to be honored twice as Horse of the Meeting as Emerald Downs announced its season honors Sunday on closing day of the track’s 16th season.

Trained by Doris Harwood, the 5-year-old Washington-bred by Harbor the Gold-Julia Rose won three of the four stakes in the older handicap division and became No. 1 all-time with 11 stakes wins at Emerald Downs. Although Noosa Beach missed winning a second consecutive Longacres Mile, he finished a solid second while spotting winner and multi-millionaire Awesome Gem three lbs. in the 76th renewal of the Northwest’s most prestigious race.

In addition to Horse of the Meeting, Noosa Beach was voted Top Older Horse, Top Washington-bred and Top Sprinter—the second straight year he won four different awards, and also was the fifth straight Washington-bred to win Horse of the Meeting.

In the last two seasons at Emerald Downs, Noosa Beach is nine-for-11 with $377,124 in earnings. He also set a track record by carrying 126 lbs. while winning the 1-1/16-mile Mt. Rainier Handicap on July 24. Displaying great versatility, Noosa Beach also won the 6-½ furlong Governor’s Handicap and the one-mile Budweiser Handicap.

Michael & Amy Feuerborn earned the amazing distinction of owning two divisional champions: Top 3-Year-Old Filly Class Included and Top 2-Year-Old Chu and I, both double stake winners at the meeting for trainer Jim Penney.

Penney also trained Top 3-Year-Old Male Jebrica, a Washington-bred son of Liberty Gold campaigned by Ron and Rosalie Warren. Jebrica was awesome while winning the Emerald Derby and appears to have a bright future in the older handicap division.

The 4-year-old filly You Me and Ema B took downs honors as Top Older Filly or Mare. Trained by Margo Lloyd and co-owned by Lloyd and Patrick Hoonan, the Washington-bred by You and I was the division’s only double stakes winner and also finished a game third in the Emerald Distaff.

Top Claimer was a hotly contested category but Touch of Elegance, the meet’s only seven-time winner, took honors over six-time winner Buddy Dave and five-time winners Rossi Reserve and Untilifindyou. Trained by Frank Lucarelli for Chris Randall and Nick Rossi, the 4-year-old Olmodavor filly was 7-1-0 in eight starts overall.

Lucarelli claimed his third Emerald Downs training title and first since 2006 by a 53-52 margin over Howard Belvoir. Lucarelli’s title ended a four-year run by 10-time training champion Tim McCanna.

Leslie Mawing captured his first Emerald Downs riding title by a 129-100 margin over Juan Gutierrez. Mawing’s total was eighth highest in track history.

Leonel Camacho-Flores was voted Top Riding Achievement for his marked second-half improvement. The 27-year-old rider rode 34 winners over the final 29 days and finished the meet with wins on nine straight cards.

In the owners’ ranks, Howard Belvoir drew off by a 21-12 margin over Randall and Rossi for his second straight leading owner title.

Chris Stenslie was tabbed for Top Training Achievement for an excellent campaign in which she saddled 25 percent winners and won three stakes including a triumph by the filly Talk to My Lawyer in the Gottstein Futurity.

Emerald Downs’ 2011 Season Honors Award Winner:

Horse of the Meet Noosa Beach (WA)
Top WA-bred Noosa Beach (WA)
Top Older Horse Noosa Beach (WA)
Top Sprinter Noosa Beach (WA)
Top Older Filly or Mare You Me and Ema B (WA)
Top 3-year-old Male Jebrica (WA)
Top 3-year-old Filly Class Included (KY)
Top Juvenile Male Chu and I
Top Juvenile Filly TBA
Top Claimer Touch of Elegance
Race of the Meet 76th Longacres Mile
Top Training Achievement Chris Stenslie
Top Riding Achievement Leonel Camacho-Flores
Durkan Award Don Munger & Billy Christian
Lindy Award Lance Bullock
Leading Rider Leslie Mawing (129 wins)
Leading Trainer Frank Lucarelli (53 wins)
Leading Owner Howard Belvoir (21 wins)
Leading Apprentice Lance Bullock
Top Quarter Horse Devon Dat Cash