Thetrailerguy surges late to win Coca-Cola Handicap

Thetrailerguy rallied for a narrow victory Sunday in the $50,000 Coca-Cola Handicap at Emerald Downs, his third victory in four career starts for Heidi Nelson’s Nelson Family Racing and trainer Monique Snowden.

An 8-1 shot in a field of nine 3-year-old colts and geldings, Thetrailerguy ran one mile in 1:36.80 and paid $18.40. Julien Couton, who sits comfortably atop the jockey standings in his first year at Emerald Downs, was the winning rider.

Fooled Again, the previously undefeated winner of the Auburn Handicap at Emerald in late May, was the 2-1 favorite Sunday, just ahead of Prime Engine, who captured the 1 1/16-mile Gottstein Futurity in September. Fooled Again faded to eighth after taking a short lead at the top of the stretch. Prime Engine, who had the lead in deep stretch, held on to finish second, a half-length behind Thetrailerguy.

Senna, a 19-1 longshot, was a close third, followed by Percy Fawcett, Gloria’s Angelo, O B Harbor, Fooled Again, Betrbegone, and Awesome Indian.
Thetrailerguy had an eventful trip, squeezing through a narrow opening inside the final furlong to catch Prime Engine in the final strides.

“I just had to find the right hole to get in there,” Couton said. “I had a lot of horse. I finally found the hole and the horse did the rest. I'll tell you what – he showed me a lot of heart today. He's got a lot of talent.”

Thetrailerguy earned $27,500, pushing his career earnings to $54,425. Nelson, of Bothell, Wash., paid $75,000 for Thetrailerguy at the 2014 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. June 2-year-olds in training sale in Florida.