Jerk Pork delivered as the post-time favorite, closing from eighth to win the Grade III Kelso Stakes for TwinTowersRacing with Rodriguez aboard.

Race Recap

The Kelso Stakes was run at Saratoga over 1 mile on the firm inner turf for a purse of $225.000. Jerk Pork stopped the clock in 1:32.47, defeating Saratoga Lake, King Luka, Penal Hockey Party, and Port Gibson in a tightly grouped finish.

Caste showed the sharpest early foot, taking the first call and continuing to lead through the second call. Good Memories tracked closest in second, while Western Knight, King Luka, and Neon Lightning were positioned in the next flight.

At the second call, Caste still controlled the race, with Good Memories remaining second. Western Knight and King Luka stayed close, while Saratoga Lake began improving from fifth.

By the third call, Caste still held command, Good Memories remained in pursuit, King Luka had advanced into third, and Saratoga Lake continued progressing. Jerk Pork, who had been eighth at both early calls, moved up to sixth and was beginning to enter contention.

In the final run, Jerk Pork produced the decisive late move, passing the leaders and holding off Saratoga Lake. Saratoga Lake ran much better than expected, rallying from mid-pack to finish second. King Luka stayed on for third, Penal Hockey Party closed from ninth to fourth, and Port Gibson finished fifth after racing in the second half of the field.

Each Runner Mentioned

Jerk Pork was the post-time favorite and proved best late after settling well off the early pace.

Saratoga Lake outran expectations with a strong second-place finish after advancing steadily from mid-pack.

King Luka raced within striking range throughout and completed the top three.

Penal Hockey Party made a late move from near the back to finish fourth.

Port Gibson was farther back early and passed enough runners to finish fifth.

Caste set the pace through every call before weakening late.

Fourth Estate trailed early and improved slightly in the stretch.

Good Memories tracked close to the pace but faded in the final stages.

Neon Lightning was mid-pack early before finishing in a dead heat for ninth.

Western Knight was close early but also finished in a dead heat for ninth.

Winner Profile & Possible Next Spot

Jerk Pork is a gray gelding by Blindfold out of Salt Gully, bred by Night Rider Stables and currently owned by TwinTowersRacing. His lifetime earnings now stand at $621.370.

Track: Firm
Time: :23  :46¹  1:09²  1:32²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 10 Paid 72.70
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 10 – 2 Paid 503.30

Scratched: American Generals(L)

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES