A rundown of the record-breakers at NW tracks

During 60 years of racing at Longacres, five world records were set and two were tied. Emerald Downs, in its 10th year, has grabbed the spotlight of late with one world record being set and another tied. Here is a rundown of the record-breakers:

June 26, 1966 — Jim's Purchase sprints 6-½ furlongs in 1:14-3/5 to win the Space Needle Handicap, tying the world record set five years earlier by Fair Juror at Toronto's Woodbine racetrack. Jim's Purchase was owned and trained by Toppenish barber R. F. McLavey.

Aug. 14, 1966 — Sandy Fleet becomes the first horse in Washington to set a world record, stopping the Longacres timer in 1:14-2/5 to win the Governor's Handicap. Lew and Luriene Winney owned the 4-year-old, and he was trained by Troy Taylor. "He was meaner than a junkyard dog," said legendary jockey Larry Pierce, who said he was the fastest Thoroughbred he ever rode.

Aug. 16, 1970 — Turbulator, or "Tubby" as most of his fans called him, makes a dramatic stretch run to grab the Governor's Handicap by a half length in 1:14, breaking Sandy Fleet's record. The Washington-bred was trained by Tom Crawford and ridden by Pierce. He was owned by Crawford and John Farnsworth.

Sept. 4, 1972 — Jockey Joe Baze lets Grey Papa zoom through some lively fractions in a 6-furlong allowance race. Grey Papa crosses the wire in 1:07-1/5, shaving one-fifth of a second off Zip Pocket's record set at Turf Paradise in 1966. Papa holds the record until Zany Tactics, carrying 126 pounds, wins on March 8, 1987, running the three-quarter-mile distance at Turf Paradise in 1:06-4/5. Grey Papa was owned and trained by Ron Hoffman.

Aug. 24, 1973 — It's Best Hitter's turn to break the 6-½-furlong world record, and he does it in the Grand Coulee Dam purse in 1:13-4/5 . E.L. Welker was the trainer and his wife, Ruth, owned the Washington-bred, who was ridden by Tom McAlister. The record holds up until Native Paster goes 1:13-3/5 at Del Mar in 1988.

Aug. 10, 1980 — Trooper Seven equals Best Hitter's time for 6-½ furlongs in the Governor's Handicap but carries an additional 8 pounds. The Eugene Zeren-trained runner goes on to win consecutive runnings of the Longacres Mile.

Sept. 17, 1982 — Chinook Pass, the only Washington-bred to win an Eclipse Award (Top Sprinter 1983), smokes horses ridden by Gallyn Mitchell (second place) and Gary Baze (third) in :55-1/5 at the 5-furlong distance. Chinook Pass was owned by Ed Purvis and trained at the time by Bud Klokstad.

April 16, 2004 — Willie the Cat ties the 5-½-furlong world record in an opening-day allowance, completing the distance in 1:01-1/5. Willie, who wins by nearly 8 lengths, joins Silvey's Image, who set the mark in 1992, and Plenty Zloty, who tied the record in 1995. Both Silvey's Image and Plenty Zloty accomplished the feat at Turf Paradise.

May 22, 2005 — Bob and Bruce Sparling's homebred Sabertooth, making just his second start after a 19-month hiatus, blows away his FSN Handicap rivals in 1:13 to break the 6-½-furlong world record that had stood for 10 years.

Gary Dougherty