Underdog Howdy Doo-Me Triumphant at West Hollywood Drag Race

In a stunning upset, underdog Howdy Doo-Me out ran Swine Flu at the West Hollywood Drag Race yesterday, capturing the title as the fastest drag queen in high heels over two inches high.

Favorite Swine Flu, dressed in a flowing, pink evening gown and a pig mask, ran the race with a broken, left heel, which may have helped Howdy Doo-Me, who wore a tight-fitting, red-white-and-blue-sequined dress, pull off the victory.

Emcee Eugelicious with second place finisher Swine Flu; Credit: Patrick Range McDonald

Urged by drag race emcee Eugelicious to “run like there's a redneck after ya',” 11 contestants — several drag queens, a drag king, and a few women — sprinted 30-yard heats, two at a time, until there was a champion.

Emcee Eugelicious with a 'That Morning Show' correspondent; Credit: Patrick Range McDonald

E! channel covered the hard fought event, which will be televised on That Morning Show. West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land was on hand to crown Howdy Doo-Me with a first place tiara.

Drag queens race each other as Eugelicious and spectators cheer them on; Credit: Patrick Range McDonald

Nearly 200 spectators watched the Sunday afternoon competition, which took place on the sidewalk alongside Santa Monica Boulevard near San Vicente Boulevard.

Howdy Doo-Me basks in the glow of her victory as fellow contestants look on; Credit: Patrick Range McDonald

None of the competitors twisted or broke their ankles while running in their high heels, but Swine Flu did have a spill after completing one of her heats, breaking the heel of her left, red evening shoe.

Drag king and cigar smoker Leo DiGenero; Credit: Patrick Range McDonald

Overall, sportsmanship was high at the event, but drag king Leo DiGenero blew clouds of cigar smoke into the faces of his rivals as they stood at the starting line. DiGenero was consistently one of the slowest runners at the race.

Drag race contestants Stroken (foreground) and Snow White prepare for their races; Credit: Patrick Range McDonald

There is no word yet if Swine Flu will be demanding a rematch in the near future, but she will have an opportunity to train for such an event against a wide selection of drag queens at the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval this coming Saturday.

Contact Patrick Range McDonald at pmcdonald@laweekly.com and follow at https://twitter.com/PRMcDonald.

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