Zazeannah Walker 
Barbadian Rocco Bowen made a stunning return to Emerald Downs to win the Pacific North-West racetrack’s most prestigious race, when he produced a late bid with favourite Background to capture the Grade III US$100 000 Longacres Mile Handicap in Washington on Sunday.
Going a mile for the three-year-olds and upward, the 32-year-old Bowen raced the four-year-old chestnut gelding off the pace before making a run in the stretch to get up in the final yards to beat 12-1 Windribbon by a head.
The victory was the first graded-stakes win for the Mike Puhich-trained gelding and for Bowen, in the 86th edition of the showpiece, first run in 1935.
“I can’t believe it … finally. I can’t believe it. So many years I’ve been waiting for this moment, I can’t believe it is here,” said Bowen while crying uncontrollably at the presentation.
“It was [a tough task at the quarter pole] but if it is one thing – if you ride with me I’ll die with you, and Background will die with me.
“I knew he wasn’t done. I was trying to find it and he was staying with me so I was going to die with him and he was going to die with me. That’s how Background rolls.”
Bowen is a legend at Emerald Downs, having dominated with three titles here between 2016-18, before moving on.
He now rides at Arlington in Chicago and only last weekend, travelled to Kentucky where he won the US$100 000 KY Downs TVG Preview Mint Million Stakes at Ellis Park.
“It’s unbelievable. I have no voice left at all,” said Bob Rondeau, co-owner of Background with his wife Molly.
“There’s just now way in the world he wins that race [from that position] but he found the wherewithal to get it done.
“Rocco stayed with him, Rocco loves this horse. I’m as happy for Rocco as anybody.”
Papa’s Golden Boy and Anyportinastorm went stride for stride for the early fractions, posting 22.94 seconds for the quarter and 45.34 for the half, as Windribbon chased with Sir Bregovic half-length back and Background well off the pace.
With a half-mile to run, Papa’s Golden Boy and Anyportinastorm had stormed five lengths clear but Windribbon chased furiously off the turn to catch the leaders at the top of the stretch and take the lead.
The five-year-old chestnut gelding seemed to have the race won when he opened up a two-length lead in mid-stretch but Bowen’s thundering run with Background changed the outcome.
For Bowen, the victory was one of three on the ten-race card as he also won race four over six furlongs with 3-1 chance Suddenly Winning in a front-running effort, and race seven in another six-furlong trip with another 3-1 choice My Grandpa, coming from off the pace.
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