The Poker Stakes – Grade III
1 Mile Turf Stake Purse $300.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st Butter Ball Aml Racing Gutierrez Mario

This former claimer had been showing much improved work times but still had something to prove at this level after two failures in similar company. The Perfect draw and easy going were in his favor today though and he went to the lead before halfway and just had enough left to hold the challengers. It will be interesting to see if he can follow up now he has broken through at this level but there is no reason why not.

2nd Nice Dive Threshold Pennington F

Took up the stalk and looked like he was going to pick up the winner all the way down the stretch but in the end he just couldnt find enough and went down by a head. He still has something left to offer at this level.

3rd The Duke Of Phooey Maxmillion Farm Colon L H

Well i joked that this horse had no chance apart from his trainer and jockey and he very nearly proved that that was enough by going down by just a half length in third. He won his maiden on a wet track coming from off the pace and very nearly repeated that today but just couldnt get to the first two in time. I have no idea where he places in the Turf Kings stable but with a 1.09 flat work time prior to this race i am sure the trainer will find a good race for him soon.

4th Decision In Five Nakamura Stables Saez L

I think we just found out what the swing is for a wet tracker as this one beat The Duke Of Phooey by 5 lengths on a dry track last time and was beaten three lengths by that horse today. So 8 lengths is about the difference between a wet and dry tracker as this horse that managed a 104 speed rating last time looked pretty weak as he splashed through his hated wet ground today.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES