Donegal Momentum, under a masterful ride by Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, led from start to finish to capture the Grade 3, $300,000 Poker Stakes on the inner turf at Saratoga Race Course.
The 4-year-old colt, trained by Tom Morley, secured his first graded stakes victory with a commanding performance.
The complexion of the race changed dramatically with the morning scratch of the speedy Filo Di Arianna (BRZ), leaving Donegal Momentum as the controlling speed in the field of seven. Castellano took full advantage, guiding his mount to the front from the outside post. They set comfortable fractions of 24.34 for the quarter-mile and 48.09 for the half-mile, unchallenged on the lead.
As the field turned for home, Donegal Momentum maintained a clear advantage. Mischievous Angel and Major Dude attempted to close the gap, but Donegal Momentum had plenty in reserve and kicked clear in the stretch, crossing the wire 1 3/4 lengths in front. The final time for the one-mile contest over a firm turf course was 1:34.22.
Intellect (FR), who was unhurried early, made a strong late rally to finish second, while Major Dude held on for third.
The victory was a popular one for the connections. “When [Filo Di Arianna] came out this morning, it changed the dynamics of the race enormously,” said trainer Tom Morley. “We had the fastest horse in the race… He got all the right conditions, and the right set up today, and he proved he is a good one.”
Castellano echoed those sentiments: “He’s a nice horse. He was the lone speed in the race. We had a great post, and that’s exactly what I did… I liked the way he finished.”
The win was the fifth in ten career starts for Donegal Momentum, a son of Uncle Mo owned by Donegal Racing. The victory was also an emotional one for Morley, who dedicated it to his late assistant, John Attfield.
Scratched Horse(s): Filo Di Arianna (BRZ) (RegVet-Injured), Magnolia Midnight (Main-Track-Only), Yo Daddy (Main-Track-Only)
Fractional Times: 24.34 48.09 1:11.53 1:22.66
Final Time: 1:34.22
Winning Connections
1st – (8) Donegal Momentum – Win ($8.60), Place ($4.00), Show ($3.00)
2nd- (2) Intellect (FR) – Place($4.00), Show ($2.80)
3rd – (4) Major Dude – Show ($3.10)
$1.00 Exacta (8-2): $17.10, $0.50 Trifecta (8-2-4): $30.12, $0.10 Superfecta (8-2-4-1): $13.12
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