The $50,000 Irish Day Stakes at Emerald Downs on Saturday was effectively over after two furlongs when, in a four-horse field, Tougherthantherest was three lengths in the lead after a quarter-mile run in 22.51. The rest of the 6 1/2-furlong contest was little more than an exhibition. Tougherthantherest races for Heidi Nelson and Dale Varbel and is trained by Blaine Wright. The gelding completed 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.86 over a fast track and paid $8.38 to win. The winner received an excellent ride by Silvio Amador. Tougherthantherest broke from the outside and remained well out toward the center of the track down the backstretch, daring the runner-up to race up inside of him. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. Eventual runner-up Whiskeyjack broke sharply after having spotted the field several lengths at the start of his July 3 prep race. That was about as good as it got for Whiskeyjack, as he found himself in poor position, bottled-up behind the front-runner and to the inside of Miner League at crucial points on the turn. Eventually Whiskeyjack was able to bully his way through an opening and dug in to get second money, about 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner and 2 1/4 lengths to the good of third-place finisher Miner League. The Irish Day Stakes was anticipated as a contest between 4-5 favorite Miner League and recent newcomer to Emerald Downs Whiskeyjack, who went off at 8-5. Tiny fields always come with the threat of pace dominating everything, and when anybody goes the first quarter in 22.51 with a clear lead at Emerald, they boast a huge tactical edge. Double that for stakes-quality horses. For comparison, $3500 claimers in the prior race went the first quarter-mile in 22.46. Two maiden races later on the card saw opening quarter-mile splits run in 22.19 and 22.09. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.