Hired Hand, named the state’s most improved plater last year, kicked off his 2009 campaign with a victory in Thursday’s featured Stanislaw Ashbaugh Purse at Emerald Downs.

Hired Hand actually finished second but was awarded the victory as first-place finisher Devilish Act was disqualified and placed fourth for causing interference on the backstretch. Ridden by Troy Stillwell for trainer Sam Tilden, Hired Hand returned $8.80, $2.60 and $2.10.

Ore Brain and Morgan’s Money dead-heated for third place, but because of the disqualification were promoted to a dead-heat for second. Ore Brian, Ricky Frazier riding, paid $2.10 and $2.10, while Morgan’s Money, the even-money favorite ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, also paid $2.10 and $2.10.

Devilish Fact, ridden by Seth Martinez, ran six furlongs in 1:10 2/5 and finished first by 1 ¾ lengths, The 8-year-old gelding would have joined Yes Bay as the only horses to win three races at the meet, but was disqualified for interference on the backstretch. Devilish Fact, in second place at the times, was deemed to have come in on Morgan’s Money, who in turn caused Ore Brain to check sharply.

A 5-year-old Washington-bred by Rojo Warrior, Hired Hand has a 5-2-0 record from 11 starts with earnings of $41,187 for owners Karen Tilden and Gordon Richardson. Last year, Hired Hand rose from the $7,500 claiming ranks to a near victory over Wasserman in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Tribal Classic. He won three straight races at one point, and was beaten only a neck after setting the pace in the Classic.

Stillwell has won the last two Thursday feature races and moved into eighth place in the jockeys’ standings with 11 wins.

NOTES: Ladyledue has been assigned high weight of 120 pounds for Sunday’s $50,000 Irish Day Handicap for 3-year-old fillies, The maiden Seeking Ema is next at 117 pounds, followed by Shamus On Me and Glo Bou Liza at 116 pounds each…Gallyn Mitchell and Jennifer Whitaker rode two winners each. Mitchell is the track’s all-time leading rider with 1,083 wins and Whitaker is Emerald Downs’ all-time leading female rider with 332 wins…Jim Penney led the trains with two wins…Atta Boy Roy earned a meet-best 102 Beyer Speed Figure for his record-tying victory in last Saturday’s allowance feature. The 4-year-old Washington-bred by Tribunal ran six furlongs in 1:07 2/5 while winning by 10 ½ lengths…Racing resumes Friday with first post at 6 p.m.