Showme Yourfriends registered one of the biggest surprises in Emerald Downs' history Monday with a half-length victory over Winter Warlock in the $50,000 Auburn Handicap for 3-year-old colts and geldings.
Off at odds of 50-to-1, the lightly raced gelding took the lead past mid-stretch and held on gamely for the stunning triumph under red-hot jockey Deborah Hoonan-Trujillo.
Showme Yourfriends ran 6-½ furlongs in 1:15.05 on a fast track and paid $102.40, $38.40 and $9.40. The $2 win payoff was the highest of the 22-day-old meeting and the second biggest for a stakes race in the track's 16-year history. No Giveaway at 60-1 in the 2005 Longacres Mile holds the Emerald Downs stakes payoff record.
Winter Warlock chased the winner home but had to settle for second place. Ridden by Joe Crispin, Winter Warlock paid $12.40 and $5.80.
