Emmanuel fills in nicely for sidelined stablemate in Poker Stakes
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ELMONT, N.Y. - With trainer Todd Pletcher’s top turf miler Annapolis sidelined by a minor foot issue, Emmanuel proved a more than worthy substitute, rallying from last to win Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Poker Stakes at Belmont Park.
Last of six, though only four lengths off the pace for the first half-mile, Emmanuel, under Irad Ortiz Jr., gradually advanced into contention around the turn. He rallied four wide in the lane to run down the unlucky pacesetter Filo Di Arianna to win by a neck. It was a half-length back to Chez Pierre, the 1-2 favorite, in third.
Anaconda finished fourth, followed by Dreams of Tomorrow and Emaraaty. Mackinnon and main-track only entrant Bourbon Calling, were scratched.
Annapolis, a Grade 1 winner at 3, was intended for the Poker after winning his seasonal debut in the Opening Verse Stakes at Churchill Downs. But Annapolis sloughed a frog on a front foot in training and couldn’t make the race, Pletcher said this week.
Though Emmanuel had raced just three weeks ago when third in the Grade 3 Dinner Party at Pimlico, Pletcher felt it was worth at least taking a look at the Poker.
“Once they drew the race we felt like he fit, was sharp and doing well, it’s at home, let’s go ahead and take a shot,” Pletcher said.
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Chez Pierre was the heavy favorite based on his eye-catching victory in the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland, a race Emmanuel finished seventh in while totally out of early position after blowing the break.
In the Dinner Party, Emmanuel was part of a contested pace and was only beaten a half-length by Never Explain.
Saturday, Ortiz had Emmanuel last of six, but only four lengths off the pace set by Filo Di Arianna, who went a half-mile in 47.82 seconds while stalked by Chez Pierre.
Emmanuel crept into contention before Ortiz let him run and he was able to wear down Filo Di Arianna.
Emmanuel, a 4-year-old son of More Than Ready owned by WinStar Farm and Siena Farm, covered the mile over firm turf in 1:34.25 and returned $14.40 as the third choice. He was given a Beyer Speed Figure of 100.
Ortiz said he preferred the mile for Emmanuel as compared to the nine furlongs of the Dinner Party.
“A mile flat was beautiful because I was close to the pace, I was not in the clear, I just gave him a target and when I tip out, he was responding really well, Ortiz said.
Luis Saez, rider of Filo Di Arianna, said he got the trip he wanted.
“He was very comfortable, actually when he came to the stretch he really tried pretty hard,” Saez said. “In the end, we got caught, but that’s how it is.”
Arnaud Delacour, the trainer of Chez Pierre, said he liked the trip his horse was getting under Flavien Prat, but the horse didn’t finish as well as he thought he would.
“He didn’t get beat that far, but I was expecting a better kick,” Delacour said.
The Grade 1 Fourstardave on Aug. 12 at Saratoga is likely a summer goal for Emmanuel, Pletcher said.
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