Olmanslew takes Thursday feature at Emerald Downs | Horse Racing

Olmanslew, with hot-riding Francisco Duran in the saddle, was never challenged Thursday en route to a 5 ¼-length victory in the featured Ashbaugh-Beal Purse for older horses at Emerald Downs.

Olmanslew ran six furlongs in 1minute, 9 4/5 seconds on a fast track and paid $10.60, $5.20 and $3.40. The winner, a 4-year-old Washington-bred gelding by Slewdledo, put away 3-to-2 betting favorite Burgundy Road on the turn and drew clear in the stretch for the comfortable victory. Brad Varner, celebrating his wedding anniversary, is the trainer for owner Jeanette Orsborn.

Tense Bet, the 2-to-1 second choice ridden by apprentice Pedro Terrero, finished second and paid $3.60 and $2.20. Fast Tactics, Jennifer Whitaker riding, finished third and paid $3.80.

Best Indy West finished fourth, followed by Burgundy Road and Ten Years After. Do Boy and Thats Good Stuff were scratched earlier in the day.

Olmanslew took a while to get the hang of things, but the gelding has developed nicely for Varner, who is off to a 5-for-25 start at the meet. After breaking his maiden in his seventh start last year, Olmanslew has won two his last four starts with earnings of $12,653.

Duran, meanwhile, continues to climb in the jockeys’ standings. He rode two winners Thursday, his third straight racing day with at least two wins—and ranks fifth overall with 27 wins.

News and Notes

• Jockey Robert Burney has packed his tack and returned to his native Idaho, where he plans to compete in rodeo. Burney, 23, was tied for ninth place with 14 wins in 129 mounts.

• Live racing continues 6 p.m. Friday.

• Hollywood Park, which cancelled Thursday due to insufficient entries, resumes racing Friday at 7 p.m.

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