Feeling Fancy continues Emerald run

AUBURN, Wash. - Feeling Fancy ran her record at Emerald Downs to 3 for 3 with a victory Sunday in the $50,000 Federal Way Handicap for 3-year-old fillies. Ridden by Francisco Duran for trainer Frank Lucarelli, the Sky Mesa filly ran 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.20 and paid $5 and a narrow favorite over Knight Raider, who finished 2 1/2 lengths behind in second.

Feeling Fancy ran her record to three wins from six starts. She won a maiden race last June and then was sent to California, where an injury sidelined her until December. Unimpressive in one start at Hollywood Park and two at Golden Gate, she returned to Emerald Downs in March and won a first-level allowance race in her season debut April 24. She earned $27,500 Sunday, increasing her lifetime earnings to $51,835 for owner Chris Randall of Bellevue, Wash.

Feeling Fancy raced forwardly to the turn, dropped back slightly near the quarter pole, and then rallied to draw clear under strong handling. Knight Raider, a three-time stakes winner in 2009, couldn't match strides with the winner but finished well for the place.

Private Fortune was third in the field of eight, which was reduced by one starter after Include the Baby flipped in the starting gate and was ordered scratched by state veterinarian Joe Bergevin.

"She flipped in grand fashion," Bergevin said of Include the Baby, an impressive maiden winner April 11 who had been set to go postward as the 8-5 wagering favorite under Juan Gutierrez. "The jockey got banged around a little bit, and the horse had her head hanging over the rear gate, upside down. When they flip like that, they've run their race. My position is, scratch the horse."