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Washington horse racing back in action

A dazed Grant Forster raised his fist into the warm summer air, splashed a wide smile and weaved his way through a crowd to the winner",s circle Sunday. His partner, Herman Sarkowsky, soon followed. For both gentlemen, it was a short trip after a long wait. The Longacres Mile, so elusive and so coveted over the years, was finally theirs. On a day of firsts, the 70th running of the $250,000 Northwest jewel was surpassing and sentimental. For Forster, it was his first Mile victory in three tries and the family`s first in 10 tries, dating back to 1983. Forster`s father Dave, a British Columbia Racing Hall of Fame trainer, is 0-for-9 in the big race.

For Sarkowsky, owner and breeder of No Giveaway, it was his first Mile victory in five tries, his first attempt stretching back 34 years. No Giveaway, a frequent winner at shorter distances, used his deep-closing kick to sweep past the front-running speed horses and steal the show. Ridden by Juan Gutierrez, the 4-year-old chestnut gelding held off stablemate Quick Cash, primarily trained by Forster`s father, in a stirring finish.

Gutierrez and No Giveaway`s three-quarter-length victory stopped the clock in 1 minute, 35 and 3/5ths seconds, igniting a Mile record payoff for a $2 win ticket at $122. No Giveaway, a 4-year-old Washington-bred chestnut gelding by He`s Tops, improved to 6-3-0 in 10 lifetime starts with $223,906 in earnings. California invader Desert Boom finished third. Defending race champion Adreamisborn, a Jerry Hollendorfer-trained gelding from Southern California, went off as the 3-to-1 favorite but wasn`t a factor. He finished fifth.