Northwest Farms' Stopshoppingdebbie remained undefeated in nine career starts after prevailing by a half-length over stablemate Goin to the Window Aug. 24 in the $65,000 Emerald Distaff (VIDEO) at Emerald Downs.
Ridden by Rocco Bowen at a stakes record 124 pounds, Stopshoppingdebbie ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.45 and paid $2.40, $2.10 and $2.10.
The 4-year-old daughter of Curlin bred in Kentucky by Jere Paxton's Northwest Farms has earned $247,023. To keep her win streak intact, the filly gamely turned back a formidable challenge from Goin to the Window, who nearly pulled even at the eighth-pole before the winner found another gear.
"It was an incredible race," Bowen said. "(Stopshoppingdebbie) was doing it so easy and pricking her ears. I usually don't step it up a notch at the half-mile pole but I had to today to keep her going.
"(Goin to the Window) never got the head in front of us. Once 'Debbie' saw her, she just drew away. I was never once worried today. The other horse is a really good horse, so I never let my guard down. But at the end of the day, I knew I was on the best horse. I've won a lot of big races, but I have to say this is the best race I've ever won. It was a special day for me."
With Stopshoppingdebbie's dominance over the Washington filly and mare division, Paxton and trainer Tom Wenzel are considering an out-of-state foray in the near future.
"We hope to (run outside the state with Stopshoppingdebbie)," the trainer said. "We'll see how the mare pulls up, and then we'll have some decisions to make."
Stopshoppingdebbie swept the 3-year-old filly division in 2013 and the older filly and mare division in 2014. The eight straight stakes wins are a track record, one better than Ropersandwranglers' seven consecutive stakes wins in 1996-97.
Finishing third was Blueberry Smoothie, also owned by Northwest. It marked the seventh time in two seasons that the three Northwest Farms' fillies finished first, second, and third in an Emerald Downs' stakes.
"We had a good day today," Wenzel said. "All the mares acted pretty good in the paddock and they all performed. Goin to the Window ran a great race running out 'Debbie' and Blueberry Smoothie tried like she always does."
