Engram pulls 20-1 surprise in Humboldt County Marathon

Engram, the longest shot on the board at 20-1, rallied from last to win the $20,450 C.J. Hindley Humboldt County Marathon in the final race of the Humboldt County Fair meet in Ferndale, Calif.

A 5-year-old gelding with only a maiden victory going into the race, Engram slowly began to move up and took command from favored Defiantly as the field made its way down the backstretch for the final time. He won by 7 3/4 lengths over Defiantly in 2:52.43 for the 1 5/8 miles. Defiantly was 4 1/2 lengths in front of third-place finisher West Cost Indy. Engram paid $43.80 to win.

“This is definitely one of the biggest thrills of my riding career,” said winning jockey Francisco Monroy, who rode eight winners during the seven-day Ferndale meet.

Engram is a Street Hero gelding owned by Kathleen Dennick and trainer Quentin Miller.

“I felt Engram could definitely get the distance, and Francisco gave him a perfect trip,” said Miller, who also saddled Dancing Sunset on opening weekend in the meet’s premier filly and mare race, the Les Mademoiselle.

Engram won a maiden race in March 2017 and had never hit the board against winners before his Marathon victory. He earned $12,000 for the win to lift his career earnings to $36,810 with two wins in 18 starts.

Jockey Hugo Herrera and trainer Quinn Howey each captured his fifth Ferndale titles in the past six years. Herrera rode 14 winners, while Howey saddled 11 winners.