Court's in Session scores Finley upset

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Court's in Session ($15.60), the lone confirmed closer in the field of five, took advantage of a heated pace duel to upset odds-on favorite Stone Rain in the $54,500 Ernest Finley Handicap at the Sonoma County Fair on Sunday.

Court's in Session was last as expected early in the six-furlong race, and Stone Rain was on the lead but under extreme pressure from Flying Supercon. Although his fractions of 21.05 and 44.56 weren't faster than the fractions he'd been setting in a four-race winning streak, Stone Rain could not shake loose from Flying Supercon until the quarter pole.

Court's in Session glided into second into the lane and outkicked Stone Rain in the final 16th to win by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:09.24. Gilded Bertrando was disqualified from third to fourth for cutting off fourth-place finisher Swen into the turn.

"He had a lot of trouble the last time," Monty Meier, trainer Brian Koriner's assistant, said of Court's in Session's third-place finish behind Stone Rain in the Sam Whiting at Pleasanton.

"I loved it when Flying Supercon broke well and put the pressure on early. Horses have been closing well here. This is a nice horse, who's met some good ones and had some tough luck."

Court's in Session scored his first victory since winning the Governor's Cup Handicap at Fairplex on Sept. 15, 2004. He earned $27,650 for his ninth win in 40 starts, increasing his career earnings to $296,265.