Couton Rides Six Winners at Emerald Downs

Julien Couton provided the early fireworks the evening of July 3 at Emerald Downs.

The 37-year-old Frenchman rode six winners on the nine-race card, tying the track record previously set by Kevin Radke in 2002 and Seth Martinez in 2008.

Couton compiled a 6-1-1 mark in nine mounts, and tied the record with a gate-to-wire victory aboard Blackford in the ninth race finale.

Afterward, Couton revealed that he accomplished the feat while riding with a broken toe, sustained in the final race July 1.

"I managed the pain okay, and I rode for good trainers who had their horses in the right spots," Couton said. "It all came together tonight."

A 37-year-old native of Aizenay, France, Couton twice previously rode five winners on a card at Emerald Downs.

Couton began the night with a victory aboard Bye Bye Sal in race one, which also was his 200th career win at Emerald Downs. He also won race two with Per La Bella, race five on Better in Leather, race six aboard Outa Here, race eight on Freedom Hill, and the nightcap on Blackford.

Couton nearly bagged a seventh winner, but Levitation missed by a neck to Kota Copy in race seven. 

Couton's other two mounts were a third on Camano Comet in race three, and a fourth aboard That's Gold in race four.

In the featured $15,600 Muckleshoot Casino Purse, Couton swept Freedom Hill from behind for a two-length victory in 1:14.92 for 6 1/2 furlongs. The winner, owned by Dr. Rodney Orr, is a 5-year-old Summer Bird gelding with a 4-0-2 record in 13 career starts.