California Shipper Arrowthegreat Proves Best In 90th Longacres Mile originally appeared on Paulick Report.

Under a rail-skimming ride by Manuel Americano, California invader Arrowthegreat powered to a 2 ¼-length victory over Clovisconnection in Sunday’s 90th running of the $125,000 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash.

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The 3-2 betting favorite, Arrowthgreat covered the mile in 1:34.41 under 119 pounds returning $5.08 to win as the betting favorite. Southern California-based Dan Blacker is the winning trainer for an ownership syndicate of Radley Equine, John Cavalli, Jim Crews, Rick Gold, Allan Harris Lerch, Brian Malarkey, Dave Odmark, and Double L Racing.

Bettors, meanwhile, wagered an Emerald Downs’ single day record of $3,305,806 on the 11-race card, just missing the state record of $3,339,087, set Sept. 21, 1992, at Longacres.

In fourth at the quarter-pole, some five lengths behind the trio of Masen, Clovisconnection, and What a Dude, Arrowthegreat rallied furiously inside to collar Clovisconnetion in the final sixteenth and won going away.

For Americano, riding champion at Turf Paradise and currently second at Emerald Downs, the Mile marks his biggest win to date and a perfect way to begin his life as a full-fledged journeyman jockey. Including a six-length victory last February at Turf Paradise, Americano is now 2 for 2 on Arrowthegreat.

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“Thank you to Manny for riding him so well,” Blacker said. “The ownership is a great group of people spearheaded by Brian. We bought this horse as a yearling, my business partner Craig Rounsefell picked him out, and just to be here all these years later is rewarding.”

A 5-year-old Kentucky-bred by Arrogate, Arrowthegreat improved to 4-6-1 in 17 starts with career earnings of $279,690, including $68,750 for Sunday’s victory. His four career wins are all at a mile on dirt, not including another recent mile win from which he was disqualified and placed second for interference.

Clovisconnection, ridden by Kevin Krigger at 124 pounds, finished a gutsy second—the second straight Longacres Mile runner-up finish for the Blaine Wright trainee. Racing just off the pace set by Masen—:23.19, :46.39, 1:10—Clovisconnection forged a lead past midstretch before yielding to Arrowthgreat in deep stretch. Owned and bred by William Hedrick, Clovisconnection earned $25,000 and is 12-4-1 in 22 starts with earnings of $518,300.

Bearings, a 30-1 longshot ridden by Kevin Orozco at 120 pounds, closed from last place to finish third, three-quarters of a length back of Clovisconnection. Rounding out the full order of finish were Moneyshot, What a Dude, Masen, Slew’s Tiz Whiz, Fifty Cinco, Apprehend, and Seas of Normandy.

Orozco was a substitute for Alex Cruz on Bearings, after Cruz went down in the stretch run of race five while riding I’m Noble. Cruz sustained no serious injuries in the fall and was treated and released from the hospital.

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Julien Couton, rider of Slew’s Tiz Whiz, also was involved in the incident in race five in which I’m Noble and San Andres clipped heels in upper stretch. Couton, however, rode his five remaining mounts, including Slew’s Tiz Whiz in the Mile. Closer to the pace than usual, Slew’s Tiz Whiz lacked his customary closing kick and finished seventh.

The two horses involved in the mishap avoided serious injury.

NOTES: The late $0.50 Pick 4 returned a mammoth $27,835.32. … The $0.50 Pick 5 carryover to Friday is a record $78,841.35. …The former Emerald Downs handle record was $3,250,016 set Aug. 21, 2011. … Owner John Parker chalked up Emerald Downs win No. 206 with Don’t Doubt Declan ($17.42) in race four. The only owner with more wins is Ron Crockett with 267. … The fifth race-Mark Kaufman Memorial Purse-honored the longtime publicist and publicity director at Longacres.

This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.