Spritely Walker wins Dixie Poker Ace Stakes

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Spritely Walker, stalking the early pace under kind handling by Corey Lanerie, took over entering the straight and held off a late charge by favorite Mr. Sulu to win Sunday's Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at the Fair Grounds Meeting at Louisiana Downs. Spruce's Prince finished a close third followed by Little Happy in the grassy one-mile test for Louisiana-breds.

Trained by Steve Asmussen for Heiligbrodt Racing Stable, Spritely Walker ($6.80) denied Mr. Sulu his third win in the last four runnings of the Dixie Poker Ace. The winner is a 6-year-old son of Skywalker and won for the eighth time in 25 career starts. He covered the distance over a firm John Franks Turf Course in 1:36.06 to prevail by a neck and has now earned over $530,000.