Emerald Downs

AUBURN - A potential summer-long rivalry involving two 3-year-old Washington-bred colts, Shake Loose and Cantil, has surfaced two races into Emerald Downs' Derby Series.

Donnybrook II Stable's Shake Loose, ridden by David Nuesch, made amends for a photo-finish loss to Cantil in the 6-furlong Auburn Handicap on May 6, winning yesterday in the 6 1/2-furlong Pepsi-Cola Handicap. Cantil, ridden by Gary Baze, came up three-quarters of a length short.

"I had a perfect trip," Nuesch said. "I actually wanted to be a little bit farther off the pace than I was, but he broke super sharp and he really kicked into gear."

Cantil's trip was anything but perfect, an element that gives his connections reason for hope in any future confrontation with Shake Loose.

"We had a pretty good trip, except for the break," Baze said. "He (Cantil) jumped at the start and stumbled a little."

Off last, Baze guided Cantil past everyone except Shake Loose.

Shake Loose completed the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16. As the 2-1 favorite, he returned $5.60, $3.80 and $3.80. Cantil, the third choice at 4-1, paid $4.40 and $3.40. Hamilton Island (25-1), paid $6.20 to show.

The victory improved Shake Loose's record to 3-2-1 from eight starts with earnings of $89,375.

The loss left Cantil with a record of 2-5-2 from 12 starts and earnings of $70,287.

Cantil, purchased at the 1998 WTBA December sale for $10,500, is owned by trainer Len Kasmerski and his wife Kay of Yakima; Steve Rubin of Tualatin, Ore., and Judi Roland of Auburn. Roland is the newest member of the State Horse Racing Commission.

Because of their come-from-off-the-pace styles, Shake Loose and Cantil both should continue to thrive when the Derby Series begins its two-turn phase with the mile-long Seattle Slew Handicap July 2.

Win-a-jock: Perez

Irma E. Caldwell, a 40-year fan of horse racing, took a somewhat circuitous route, but when the Win-A-Jockey Sweepstakes was over she was the winner of one percent of the purses earned by jockey Miguel Perez during the Emerald Downs meeting.

The sweepstakes was tied to the outcome of yesterday's eighth race, a $6,250 claimer for 3-year-old maiden fillies. By random draw, 12 persons were given a chance to pick one of the horses in the race. The person choosing the winning horse had the opportunity to select a jockey.

Caldwell, of Bryn Mawr near Renton, had fifth choice and selected No. 8, Rhythmofthe Valley. But Rhythmofthe Valley already had been chosen, so Caldwell had to pick again. She chose No. 5, Sunday Sunshine. But Sunday Sunshine had also been picked, so Caldwell had to make another choice and she selected West Seattle Girl, who won the 6-furlong race over Sunday Sunshine and Somfas Valentine.

Moments after the contestants had selected horses, P's Song (No. 4), was scratched from the race. That meant the person who selected P's Song had lost a chance at winning.

Notes

-- Nuesch's victory aboard Shake Loose was his third of the day. Perez also had three to move into a tie with Gallyn Mitchell for the lead in the jockey standings. Sharon Ross and Steve Bullock saddled two winners each to lead the trainers.

-- Jockey Amir Cedeno was suspended for four racing days - Thursday through Sunday - by the Board of Stewards for allowing his mount in Friday's third race, Road to Rason, to drift towards the rail and cause interference with another horse.

-- Apprentice jockey Loecca Margrave was suspended four racing days - Friday through Sunday and June 8 - for allowing her mount in Sunday's first race, Dazzling Dante, to cause interference in the stretch drive. Dazzling Dante was disqualified from second to fourth.

-- Schedule change: Because Lone Star Park will not have racing on Thursday, Emerald Downs' full-card simulcast will be from Hollywood Park starting at 1 p.m. Emerald's live race card is scheduled for 6 p.m.