Fooled Again jumps from maiden to stakes win in Auburn Handicap

Fooled Again ran his record to 2 for 2 with an upset victory Sunday in the $50,000 Auburn Handicap at Emerald Downs. The Howard Belvoir-trained Fooled Again ran 6 1//2 furlongs in 1:16.22 and paid $19 as the fourth choice in a field of seven 3-year-old colts and geldings.

Prime Engine, the even-money favorite, went too fast too soon in the Auburn, dueling with longshot Daytona Beach through a 44.01-second half- mile. Prime Engine ceded the lead to O B Harbor at the top of the lane, and O B Harbor in turn was no match for Fooled Again, who rallied from midpack to take the lead past the eighth pole and inch away to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths.

Gloria’s Angelo closed to finish second, and 54-1 longshot Senna was third. They were followed by O B Harbor, Moby, Prime Engine, Private Boss, and Daytona Beach.

By Scat Daddy, from the Honour and Glory mare Valour Road, Fooled Again was purchased by owners Todd and Shawn Hansen for $43,000 at the 2013 Washington Horse Breeders and Owners Association summer yearling sale. Unraced at 2, he made his career debut on opening day of the current Emerald Downs meeting, whipping a promising field in a five-furlong maiden race.

Fooled Again earned $27,500 for the Hansens, of Tenino, Wash., pushing his career ledger to $38,775. He could start next in the one-mile Coca-Cola Handicap on June 21, the second leg in Emerald’s stakes series for 3-year-olds.