Oscar Performance sets Widener turf-course record in Poker Stakes

ELMONT, N.Y. – Oscar Performance’s return to the races was a bit delayed, but he proved more than worth the wait with an award-winning effort in Sunday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Poker Stakes at Belmont Park.

Sitting fifth early under Jose Ortiz, Oscar Performance gradually advanced into contention, swung three wide turning for home, and easily outfinished Made You Look to win the Poker by 1 1/2 lengths. It was a length farther back to Voodoo Song in third.

Over a turf course that has been yielding fast times all week, Oscar Performance covered the mile in 1:31.23, setting a Widener course record. The previous mark of 1:31.63 was set in the 1998 Poker by Elusive Quality.

“That was a long-standing track record for him to break, and he did it in such great fashion,” trainer Brian Lynch said. “You’re always a bit nervous bringing high-profile horses like him back off the layoff, so just to see him do it the way he did it, you look forward to the rest of the year with him.”

Oscar Performance, a son of Kitten’s Joy owned and bred by John and Jerry Amerman, was making his first start since finishing ninth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar. Oscar Performance’s training this spring was interrupted by a bout with colic that may have delayed the start of his 4-year-old campaign.

Oscar Performance broke with the pack but soon settled into fifth position, about three lengths off the pace, as Black Tide cleared the field, chased by Ballagh Rocks and Voodoo Song.

Oscar Performance, who sat just outside of Force the Pass, was gaining incrementally through a half-mile in 44.73 seconds and joined the front flight after six furlongs in 1:08.36. Ortiz’s confidence was readily apparent as he looked behind him approaching the quarter pole.

Oscar Performance collared Voodoo Song before the eighth pole and was able to hold Made You Look at bay through the lane.

Fire Away finished fourth and was followed by Ballagh Rocks, Force the Pass, Black Tide, and Vulcan’s Forge.

Oscar Performance, a three-time Grade 1 winner, won for the seventh time in 12 starts and increased his career earnings to $1,967,632.

“We were convinced there was going to be plenty of heat in the kitchen. We worked him a couple of times behind older horses. He was quite content to sit back,” Lynch said. “Jose and I both felt if he was willing to settle, leave him be and let the race unfold in front of him. Jose gave him a very patient ride. When he got him to the outside, that was the winning move.”

Said Ortiz: “I was able to break good and be where I wanted to be. It's a great training job by Brian to have him ready off that layoff. He was working well, but you never know.”

Though Oscar Performance was a two-time Grade 1 winner at 1 1/4 miles last year, Lynch said he likely would keep him at a mile this year. The only problem with that is that Lynch has another top miler in Heart to Heart, so he will have to get creative in keeping those two separated.