Strawberry Topper Scores at Emerald

Strawberry Topper waited patiently behind a three-horse pace duel and held off a fast-closing Mulcahy for a head victory on Thursday in the $8,900 Ashbaugh Beal Purse for older horses at Emerald Downs.

Ridden by Debbie Hoonan-Trujillo, Strawberry Topper skipped over the fast track in 1:16 flat and paid $6.60, $3.40 and $2.80. The Old Topper gelding captured his third win at the meet and fifth career victory for trainer Dan Markle and owners Sue and Tim Spooner.