Houdini overcomes stumble to take Rainbow Derby

Houdini, who was last in the 2013 All American Futurity, won the first stakes of his career in Saturday’s $1,048,682 Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs.

Ridden by Cody Jensen, Houdini ($14.80) broke from the outside in the field of 10 and won by a half-length over 5-1 Her O Don Won, who finished a head in front of 3-1 Hes Relentless. Rock You , the 2-1 favorite and the winner of the Ruidoso Derby last month, finished seventh.

Houdini stumbled slightly at the start, but recovered quickly to race with the leaders. He finished 440 yards in 20.99 seconds, earning $440,447 for owner Ellen Kennedy and trainer Luis Villafranco.

A gelding by Valiant Hero, Houdini has won 7 of 12 starts and earned $901,449. Houdini lost all chance in the 2013 All American Futurity when he raced in traffic in the 440-yard race, finishing 8 1/4 lengths behind winner Handsome Jack Flash. Last fall, Houdini finished second in the Texas Classic Futurity at Lone Star Park and was third Southwest Juvenile Championship at Zia Park in New Mexico.