Ex Mountain Cop ran his local record to a perfect 5 for 5 as he led every step of the way to win the $18,000 Inaugural Handicap on Opening Day at Portland Meadows. The 4 year-old son of Ex Marks The Cop broke sharply and was sent right to the front by jockey Clark Jones. The early fractions were honest with an opening quarter of 22.27 and the opening half in 45.35. Emancipated was the only one to challenge Ex Mountain Cop as he loomed up at the quarter pole, but when they reached the top of the stretch Ex Mountain Cop found another gear and drew off through the lane.
Ex Mountain Cop has now won 6 of 13 career starts for owners Maynard Davis and Richard Novak, who also bred the gelding. With the win in the Inaugural Handicap, Ex Mountain Cop pushed his career earnings to over $94,000. Ex Mountain Cop went off as the 3/2 favorite and paid $5.00 to win.
Brave Hearted was wide throughout the turn, but made steady advancement to get up and complete an exacta that returned $16.20. Brave Hearted has never finished worse than third in 16 career starts at Portland Meadows. Emancipated stalked Ex Mountain Cop early and took a good run at the leader at the quarter pole, but faded through the lane to finish a well beaten third. The trifecta returned $51.80.
The next race for the older stakes horses is an Invitational Handicap that will take place on October 26th.
News and Notes........Clark Jones, Billy Ives and Debbe Hoonan-Trujillo all recorded two riding wins on the opening day card. Jones took the first Quarter Horse race as well as the Inaugural Handicap on Ex Mountain Cop. Ives won races 2 and 7, while Hoonan-Trujillo won the 4th and the 8th race, both on favorites. Betting Favorites won 6 of the 10 races on opening day. One person took down the entire pool for the Opening Day Pick 5. Ex Mountain Cop was the only horse live for a payout, and that lucky winner got back $2,889.00 for a $2 Pick 5 ticket. Live Racing resumes Monday and Tuesday with 9 race programs, first post at 12:35pm.