Pucker Up Stakes (Grade 3)- $400.000 Purse
ELP- For Fillies Three Years Old
One Mile and One Eighth on the Turf
August 3, 2025

Since returning to the turf in May, Happy Dancer had a couple of close calls, finishing second twice, so she certainly seemed like she was due to break through. Looking for her first stake victory, she made her way to ELP for the Pucker Up Stakes, and back up our selection of her by pulling off the victory. In fact, we did hit the trifecta for the race as well, but it’s not like it would have been a massive a hit. The jackpot for the race instead goes to Nakamura Stables, who wins the Pucker Up Stakes for the second time. His previous win was in 2022 with Directors Chair. R Bejarano was the winning rider, and it is also his second win in the race. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:45.88, the fastest of the three editions of the race held here at ELP. Let’s take a look at it:

(½ Mile- :47.48)- After an early battle with The Viper Crew, our eventual winner from Nakamura Stables, Happy Dancer, takes the lead during the opening turn, and will be a length ahead after a half mile. The Viper Crew, who is trained by Mb Stables, will run evenly with Ava, from Royalty Stables for the second position. Then, a length behind them, it’s the Alydar Stables- trained Mami, with Lacey Underall (South Shore Stables) nearby to her inside. It’s then a break of two to Face The Storm (Martyparty), and Hawaii (D J C Racing Stables) trails the field.

(3/4 Mile- 1:10.95)- Happy Dancer leads the way down the backstretch and into the turn looking comfortable as she maintains her length advantage over Ava, but The Viper Crew is already beginning to bow out of it. Mami inherits the third position, and Lacey Underall is still to her inside, but has a little more traffic to deal with at this time. There’s still about a two-length gap to Face The Storm, with Hawaii right behind her.

(Top of Stretch, 1.5F To Go)- For now, Happy Dancer has not been challenged as he comfortably makes her way into the turn, moving tight to the rail at the top of the stretch as she hopes to finish this off. No one really has made a push on her yet, as Ava is still second, but has not closed in on her. Mami is looking to get by to that one’s outside and looks like the one that may be a threat to the leader. Lacey Underall is fourth but also has not shown much yet. The Viper Crew’s drop to the back still has her fifth now, but Face The Storm is about to go by. Hawaii still trailed.

(Finish- 1:45.88)- There will be no stretch drama in this one, as Happy Dancer continues to maintain her strong stride and will maintain her advantage of about a length and a half all the way to the wire as she grabs the victory. Mami is a clear second best, with Ava holding off the late running Face The Storm narrowly at the wire to complete our trifecta hit. Hawaii, Lacey Underall, and The Viper Crew round it out.

About The Winner- Happy Dancer, trained by Nakamura Stables and ridden to victory by R Bejarano, is a three-year-old filly by Prince Cherokee and is out of Kailua Dancer. She was bred in Kentucky as a third quarter two-year-old by her trainer, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her fourth in 10 starts and first stake win. Her career earnings are now $435.490.

Track: Firm
Time: :47²  1:10⁴  1:34¹  1:45⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 5 Paid 23.30
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 5 – 2 Paid 54.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES