In his third start as a member of the Fantasy Ownership Challenge stable, MCA Racing Stable's Hey Willie took advantage of a drop in class, grabbed the early lead and rolled home to win a $5,000 claiming race May 13 at Pimlico Race Course. He defeated second-place finisher Turbin by 8 3/4 lengths and appeared to relish the sloppy track.

The 5-year-old Wilburn gelding was claimed by MCA and trainer Claudio Gonzalez for $5,000 at Laurel Park March 18, kickoff day of the Challenge. He finished a good third behind two-time contest race winner Whiskey Sour in his last start, also at Laurel. 

It only takes one win for a horse to put itself in thick of things in the standings. Hey Willie entered Saturday's first race with $3,015, good for 23rd in the standings, and exited with $11,655 in contest earnings. Hey Willie is now 14th on the list for the contest that runs through Dec. 31.

(Photo by Tom LaMarra)