Emerald Downs: Gosailgo scores upset in Boeing Handicap

AUBURN, Wash. – Gosailgo, the longest shot on the board, raced to an emphatic victory Sunday in the $50,000 Boeing Handicap for fillies and mares at Emerald Downs.

Sent off at 9-1 in a four-horse field, Gosailgo nursed a short lead through the first six furlongs before kicking away strongly through the stretch to win by five lengths. She ran one mile in 1:35.08 and paid $20.20.

Exclusive Diva and E Z Kitty were presumed to be the overwhelming leaders in the distaff division at Emerald Downs, so much so that only two other horses were entered to face them in the Boeing.

Exclusive Diva, who captured the 6 1/2-furlong Washington State Legislators Handicap in her last start, broke from the gate as the 4-5 favorite and finished second after pressing the pace. E Z Kitty, at 13-10, got away slowly, joined Gosailgo and Exclusive Diva from the outside on the second turn, then faded to be third, nearly 10 lengths behind the winner.

Champagneandcaviar, the winner of the 2012 Washington Oaks, finished a distant last in her second start of the year.

Jockey Debbie Hoonan made a winning return from a leg injury aboard Gosailgo, Hoonan’s first mount since June 9. Robert J. Anderson, based at Hastings in Vancouver, British Columbia, trains Gosailgo for Greame Hope of Burnaby, B.C.

After E Z Kitty hesitated at the start, Gosailgo moved swiftly to the front around the first turn, with Exclusive Diva in closest pursuit.

“She came out really sharp, and no one else wanted to go,” Hoonan said. “She was doing it really easy.”

Gosailgo, a 4-year-old by Finality, recorded her second career stakes victory. She took the restricted BC Cup Dogwood at Hastings last August. Most recently, she had finished second in a no-conditions allowance race at Hastings on June 23.

The $27,500 winner’s share of the Boeing purse pushed her career earnings to $96,739 from 11 starts. She could be seen next in the $65,000 Emerald Distaff at nine furlongs Aug. 18.