Poker Champ is aces in the Juniors Pacing Series at Colonial Downs

New Kent, VA — Poker Champ (Mark Gray) continued a consistent and successful early season at Colonial Downs by capturing the $4,500 Junior Pacing Series’ first leg on Sunday afternoon.

Coady Photography

Poker Champ was a 1:53 winner on Sunday.

The 5-year-old Cam’s Card Shark gelding entered the new series fresh off a win, second and third place finish in the Emergency Squads of Virginia Series, which ended Wednesday. Poker Champ, who was a close runner-up in the finale, left from post four Sunday against nine other pacers.

Mobil Big John left strong from post nine, got to the front and cut initial fractions of :26.4, :56.3 and 1:25.2 before fading slightly down the stretch.

Poker Champ, who was fourth through the third clocking, came outside in the turn and set the stage for his move on the front stepping trio. The public’s betting choice passed Paulimony and Southern Man in mid-stretch, then caught and surged by Mobil Big John to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53. McBlack came on strong to finish second while Mobil Big John hung on for third.

Poker Champ, who Gray also trains, is owned by Anne McDonald, LLC.

— Darrell Wood

Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Lillywhites, with Mike Kimelman in the bike, captured Sunday’s featured Filly & Mare Open Pace at Saratoga Casino & Raceway. Owned and trained by Sara Kimelman, the 7-year-old Artiscape mare turned in a winning time of 1:55.