Poker Stakes

The Poker Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged four years old and older held over a distance of one mile (8 furlongs) on the turf held annually in mid June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

Poker Stakes
Grade III race
LocationBelmont Park
Elmont, New York, United States
Inaugurated1983
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteNYRA
Race information
Distance1 mile (8 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationFour-year-olds and older
Weight124lbs with allowances
PurseUS$200,000 (2023)

History

The event is named in honor of Poker[1] who defeated champions Assagai and his stablemate Buckpasser in the 1967 Bowling Green Handicap at Belmont Park. More importantly Poker became a Champion Broodmare Sire. Poker was a son of the top-class sire and broodmare sire Round Table. Poker's daughters produced numerous champions including champion sire Seattle Slew. The latter twice topped the US broodmare sires list, and his daughters have produced a host of champions. Poker is also the maternal grandsire of US champion, Silver Charm, as well as the useful sire, Lomond (himself a champion sire in Italy).[2]

The inaugural running of the Poker Stakes was on 25 September 1983 and was won by the Gasper S. Moshera trained Freon in a time of 2:031⁄5 over the distance of a mile and a quarter on the turf.[3] The following year the event was not held but in 1985 it was run over the 1+1⁄16 miles distance.[4]

The event was classified as Grade III in 1988 and has held this class since.[5]

The event was not held in 2010.[4]

Several fine horses have appeared in this event including Volponi who won the event in 2007 and later won the Breeders' Cup Classic in the same year. Also Kip Deville winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile in 2007 featured in this event 2008 winning easily as the short odds on favorite and giving up to eleven pounds to his competitors.[6] Caress and the Australian bred mare Oleksandra are the only mares to have won this race.[5] Oleksandra was having her last start in her career due to being in foal to the sire Into Mischief.[7]

Records

Speed record:

This time is a course record for Belmont's Widener Turf Course, and ties the North American record for one mile on the turf.

Margins:

  • 7 lengths – Scottish Monk (1990)

Most wins:

  • 2 – Fourstardave (1989, 1993)
  • 2 – Affirmed Success (2000, 2001)
  • 2 – King Kreesa (2013, 2015)

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Winners
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
Poker Stakes
2023 Emmanuel 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd A. Pletcher Siena Farm & WinStar Farm 1 mile 1:34.25 $200,000 III [8]
2022 Masen (GB) 4 Flavien Prat Chad C. Brown Juddmonte Farms 1 mile 1:34.16 $242,500 III [9]
2021 ƒ Oleksandra (AUS) 7 Joel Rosario Neil D. Drysdale Team Valor International 1 mile 1:32.11 $250,000 III [10]
2020 Social Paranoia 4 José L. Ortiz Todd A. Pletcher The Elkstone Group 1 mile 1:36.30 $150,000 III [11]
2019 Gucci Factor 4 Joel Rosario Christophe Clement Castleton Lyons 1 mile 1:32.54 $300,000 III [12]
2018 Oscar Performance 4 José L. Ortiz Brian A. Lynch Amerman Racing 1 mile 1:31.23 $300,000 III [13]
2017 Ballagh Rocks 4 Jose Lezcano William I. Mott Donegal Racing 1 mile 1:34.98 $294,000 III [14]
2016 Obviously (IRE) 8 Jose Lezcano Philip D'Amato Anthony Fanticola & Joseph Sardino 1 mile 1:31.65 $300,000 III [15]
2015 King Kreesa 6 José L. Ortiz David G. Donk Susan & Gerald Kresa 1 mile 1:33.48 $300,000 III [16]
2014 § Jack Milton 4 Javier Castellano Todd A. Pletcher Gary Barber 1 mile 1:33.09 $300,000 III [17]
2013 King Kreesa 4 Irad Ortiz Jr. Jeremiah C. Englehart G & S Kresa 1 mile 1:33.65 $150,000 III [18]
2012 Clear Attempt 4 Jose Lezcano William I. Mott Pam & Martin Wygod 1 mile 1:34.01 $150,000 III [19]
2011 Courageous Cat 5 Jose Lezcano William I. Mott Pam & Martin Wygod 1 mile 1:36.69 $98,000 III [20]
2010 Race not held
2009 Sailor's Cap 4 Alan Garcia James J. Toner Team Valor 1 mile 1:36.50 $103,500 III [21]
Poker Handicap
2008 Kip Deville 5 Cornelio Velásquez Richard E. Dutrow Jr. IEAH Stables, Pegasus Holding Group Stables, J. Roberts & A. & S. Cohen 1 mile 1:32.94 $106,300 III [6]
2007 Art Master 6 Garrett K. Gomez Robert J. Frankel Juddmonte Farms 1 mile 1:33.21 $112,600 III [22]
2006 Rebel Rebel (IRE) 4 Edgar S. Prado Richard E. Dutrow Jr. IEAH Stables & Resolute Group Stables 1 mile 1:33.34 $110,900 III [23]
2005 Mr. Light (ARG) 6 Cornelio Velásquez Angel A. Penna Jr. Earle I. Mack 1 mile 1:32.18 $111,800 III [24]
2004 Christine's Outlaw 4 Shaun Bridgmohan George Weaver R.C. Hill Stable 1 mile 1:32.46 $112,600 III [25]
2003 War Zone 4 Javier Castellano Robert J. Frankel Juddmonte Farms 1 mile 1:32.81 $116,200 III [26]
2002 Volponi 4 Shaun Bridgmohan Philip G. Johnson Amherst Stable & Spruce Pond Stable 1 mile 1:32.24 $111,200 III [27]
2001 Affirmed Success 7 Jerry D. Bailey Richard E. Schosberg Albert Fried Jr. 1 mile 1:34.60 $110,400 III [28]
2000 Affirmed Success 6 Jorge F. Chavez Richard E. Schosberg Albert Fried Jr. 1 mile 1:34.06 $113,800 III [29]
1999 Rob 'n Gin 5 Jorge F. Chavez Robert Barbara Sabine Stable 1 mile 1:32.81 $115,200 III [30]
1998 Elusive Quality 5 Jerry D. Bailey William I. Mott Mohammed al Maktoum 1 mile 1:31.63 $85,400 III [31]
1997 Draw Shot 4 Chris Antley Angel A. Penna Jr. Francis Santangelo 1 mile 1:33.08 $85,575 III [32]
1996 Smooth Runner 5 Julie Krone Richard C. Mettee Herbert Allen 1 mile 1:33.60 $86,000 III [33]
Poker Stakes
1995 ƒ Caress 4 Robbie Davis H. Allen Jerkens Harbor View Farm 1 mile 1:34.35 $85,050 III [34]
1994 Dominant Prospect 4 Jorge F. Chavez Gary Sciacca Charles A. Coronia 1 mile 1:32.69 $83,176 III [35]
1993 Fourstardave 8 Richard Migliore Leo O'Brien Richard M. Bomze 1 mile 1:33.02 $88,650 III [36]
1992 Scott the Great 6 Jean-Luc Samyn William Hebert August F. Russo 1 mile 1:33.27 $91,350 III [37]
1991 Who's to Pay 5 Jerry D. Bailey MacKenzie Miller Rokeby Stable 1 mile 1:33.40 $93,600 III [38]
1990 Scottish Monk 7 Ángel Cordero Jr. Steven T. Jerkens Cedar Valle Stable 1 mile 1:33.40 $86,850 III [39]
1989 Fourstardave 4 José A. Santos Leo O'Brien Richard M. Bomze 1 mile 1:33.20 $94,350 III [40]
1988 Wanderkin 5 José A. Santos Richard O'Connell Poma Stable 1 mile 1:35.60 $91,200 III [41]
1987 Double Feint 4 José A. Santos LeRoy Jolley Peter M. Brant 1 mile 1:35.20 $57,200 [42]
1986 Island Sun 4 Richard Migliore Patrick J. Kelly Live Oak Plantation Racing 1+1⁄4 miles 2:02.40 $55,500 [43]
1985 Mr. Chromacopy 4 Jean Cruguet Frank Martin Sr. Harbor View Farm 1+1⁄16 miles 1:42.40 $55,700 [44]
1984 Race not held
1983 Freon 6 Robbie Davis Gasper S. Moschera Ann Territo 1+1⁄4 miles 2:03.20 $41,450 [3]

Legend:
  Turf
Notes:
§ Ran as part of an entry
ƒ Filly or Mare

See also

References
  1. "POKER (USA) b. H, 1963 – 36 Starts, 7 Wins, 4 Places, 4 Shows Career Earnings: $111,097". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  2. "The Importance Of Broodmare Sires". Sporting Post. Summerhill Stud (South Africa). 30 November 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. Inaugural Running of the Poker Stakes "Belmont Racing Charts (1983 Poker Stakes – race 6: held 24 September 1983)". New York Daily News. 25 September 1983. p. 246. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  4. "Poker Stakes (Gr. 3)". equibase. 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  5. "POKER STAKES – MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Pedigree Online. 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  6. "2008 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 4)". Equibase. 13 July 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  7. BloodHorse Staff (20 June 2021). "Oleksandra Upsets Raging Bull in Poker". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  8. "2023 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  9. "2022 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 6)". Equibase. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
  10. "2021 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  11. "2020 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  12. "2019 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  13. "2018 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  14. "2017 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  15. "2016 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 4)". Equibase. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  16. "2015 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 5)". Equibase. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  17. "2014 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  18. "2013 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  19. "2012 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  20. "2011 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 9)". Equibase. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  21. "2009 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 14 June 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  22. "2007 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 14 July 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  23. "2006 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 2 July 2006. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  24. "2005 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 3 July 2005. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  25. "2004 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 10 July 2004. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  26. "2003 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 5 July 2003. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  27. "2002 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 5 July 2002. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  28. "2001 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 4 July 2001. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  29. "2000 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 2000. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  30. "1999 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 3 July 1999. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  31. "1998 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 1998. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  32. "1997 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 1997. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  33. "1996 Poker Handicap Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 1996. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  34. "1995 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 4 July 1995. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  35. "1994 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 7)". Equibase. 4 July 1994. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  36. "1993 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 26 June 1993. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  37. "1992 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 27 June 1992. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  38. "1991 Poker Stakes Grade 3 – (race 8)". Equibase. 30 June 1991. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  39. "Belmont Racing Charts (1990 Poker Stakes – race 7: held 4 July 1990)". New York Daily News. 5 July 1990. p. 91. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  40. "Belmont Racing Charts (1989 Poker Stakes – race 7: held 4 July 1989)". New York Daily News. 5 July 1989. p. 61. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  41. "Personal Flag Nabs Suburban (1988 Poker Stakes – race 7: held 4 July 1988)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 5 July 1988. p. 11. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  42. "Double Feint Wins Poker (1987 Poker Stakes – race 8: held 19 June 1987)". Hartford Courant. Associated Press. 20 June 1987. p. 35. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  43. "Island Sun easily Wins Poker Stake at Belmont (1986 Poker Stakes – race 8: held 21 May 1986)". The Courier-Journal. Associated Press. 22 May 1986. p. 35. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  44. "Belmont Racing Charts (1985 Poker Stakes – race 6: held 18 May 1985)". New York Daily News. 19 May 1985. p. 89. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
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