The Poker Stakes – (Grade lll)

Purse $300.00 – For Four Year Olds And Upward

One Mile – InTurf

Saratoga – June 7, 2026

There’s nothing quite like summertime racing at Saratoga, and this weekend’s busy stakes schedule gives us a little preview of what’s to come. The 22nd running of The Poker Stakes is one of those races, featuring older horses going one mile on the inner turf course. There has never been a change in distance or grade for this race since its inaugural running in 2004. Atomic Eclipse is the only horse to have multiple wins in The Poker Stakes, capturing the 2021 and 2023 editions. Among the many accomplished connections to contest this race, none can boast a stronger record than Mb Stables. His three victories make him the most successful owner in the event’s history. The stakes record was set in 2015 when Jkk Racing Stables Jamfest won by an impressive three lengths in wire-to-wire fashion. The clock was stopped in 1:32.02, which was only a few hundredths off a track record. Enough history, let’s break down the field and start identifying the leading contenders!

1. Luttrell – (TwinTowersRacing, M J. Sanchez) The least experienced runner in the field, with sixteen career starts and two victories to his name. He only broke his maiden five starts ago after twelve tries. Connections seemed to have trouble finding out where this colt fit the strongest and eventually found that the grass was where this New York-bred was running best. Luttrell put together back-to-back wins early this year going five furlongs before stretching back out to two turns. After a second-place finish at Keeneland in N2X, TwinTowersRacing decided to give this colt a shot in the Opening Verse at Churchill Downs. He ended up finishing last against a group that was softer than this field. Hard to endorse.

2. Legit – (Bigchief Stables, J R. Velazquez) Made the jump into graded stakes company in his last two starts and never finished off the board. Legit made a trip to the winner’s circle earlier this year in the Bradley Stakes after an eleven-month drought. Connections then stepped him up in a grade three, where this six-year-old ran into soft ground. The son of People Pleaser didn’t seem to care much about the  moisture and ran a solid second. The Fort Marcy was his last start, and it was Legit’s first time running at the mile-and-an-eighth distance. He was outkicked in the stretch and held on for third. The future weather forecast looks like it could bring some rain, so this could be a longshot play in here.

3. Rearranger – (Our Athletes, F. Geroux) Was a $51.11 auction purchase late last year and had four starts since. The son of Walker Texas Ranger has yet to finish worse than third since switching barns, but only has one win. Rearranger made easy work of an N2X at Santa Anita, going wire-to-wire by three impressive lengths as the favorite. Connections made the jump into stakes company two starts later in the Muniz Memorial Handicap, where he tried to make every pole a winning one. Rearranger fell just short and got caught at the wire to finish second. This California-bred comes in here off a second-place last time out at Churchill Downs. He will need the lead to run his best race.

4. Powerful Explosion – (Maxmillion Farm, R. Santana Jr.) Broke his maiden around two turns, but has been consistently running in sprints. Powerful Explosion’s best performances have come against allowance company, including two races ago at Santa Anita. This gelding closed from last going six furlongs and captured the race by a length. Just like many others in this field, he comes out of the Opening Verse Stakes. It was Powerful Explosion’s first time running a route of ground since 2024. Not only was he a longshot in that race, but his habitual deep closing tactics were on display again. Connections are going to hope for a pace meltdown, however other horses are more appealing in this spot.

5. Good Memories – (Mb Stables, M. Gutierrez) Won the Belmont Stakes in 2024 and ended his three-year-old campaign with a third in the Breeders Cup Classic. However, Good Memories didn’t do much when he turned four. There was an allowance win at Aqueduct, but connections did find out that he likes to run on the green stuff. This son of Kashatreya rattled off three in a row with two graded stakes before taking one grade one company in the Makers Mark Mile. Mb Stables decided to put Good Memories on the lead that day and it resulted in a fifth place finish. A 102 speed figure was earned that day, so it makes sense that he returns to the one mile distance. This will be my top pick.

6. Suspect The Worst – (Nakamura Stables, K. Carmouche) After being bought at auction for $40.01 in 2024, this California-bred has only been off the board once in eight turf routes. Most recently, Suspect The Worst has been doing his best running against allowance company. He got back to the winner’s circle two months ago in an open allowance at Fair Grounds. The son of Majestical had a perfect stalking trip that day and won by a half-length. This is another runner making his way out of the Opening Verse Stakes, and Suspect The Worse was the post-time favorite. He sat a little further back than normal to only close two lengths in the stretch to get third. I just don’t think this is his breakthrough opportunity.

7. Anna Anna Anna – (Maxmillion Farm, Mar. Garcia) Another versatile sort who has won both sprinting and routing on the grass. This gelding’s best performances have come from two-turn races, including a third in The Appleton last time out. Anna Anna Anna was well within striking distance at the top of the lane, but just didn’t have enough to kick away with the leaders in late stretch. The son of The Godfather comes out of a sprint at Churchill Downs where he tried to take the field wire-to-wire. Rivals overtook this Ontario-bred late and had to settle for second. Facing graded stakes company again is no question a step up, but his last work in 1:09 flat is catching my eye. Maybe he turns the tables in here?

8. Misting – (Winning Link Stables, V. Espinoza) Bought privately for $30.00 almost a year ago, and has the best numbers sprinting. This New Jersey-bred has put together some good efforts around one turn, including a fourth in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint on Derby Day. Last year, connections took a shot in the Fourstardave and ended up getting second with a 102 speed figure. The Kilroe Mile was also a solid performance for Misting three starts back, hanging a bit in the stretch to save fifth. This entry makes sense because if he puts together an effort like he did last year at Saratoga, Misting fits in just fine with these. The question is if he is sitting on a graded stakes winning effort?

– AJM

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES