Howdy Boy Rib, 25-1, cruises at Beulah

Howdy Boy Rib, sent off at 25-1, upset a field of eight Ohio-accredited older horses in the $55,000 Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial at Beulah Park on Saturday.

Trained by Don Goeing, Howdy Boy Rib bobbled at the start from post 5 and was content with being held back off the quick pace, but no worse than third early. Jockey Yuri Yaranga asked the 7-year-old gelding for more on the far turn and he responded, closing with a rush to take over in upper stretch and cruising to a 5 3/4-length victory. He covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.63 and returned $52.

Key Low set the pace, building a lead of nearly 10 lengths under Scott Spieth before giving way in the stretch and finishing second. Ramblin Mike trailed for the first half of the race and rallied to finish third, 2 1/2 lengths behind Key Low.

The victory was the first in a stakes for Howdy Boy Rib, who is owned by Ron Bates Racing. It was the second stake victory on the day for Yaranga. A 48-year-old native of Peru, he won the $25,000 Alabama Maiden aboard Better Guarantee on the second race of the day.