1RB Texas Hold Em

8 June 2019, Lexington, Kentucky ~ Byerley Racing’s RB Texas Hold Em pulled off the 7-1 upset to win the $100,000 President of the UAE Cup (Grade I), a 1 1/16-mile event for Arabians at evening racing at Churchill Downs on Saturday, 15 June 2019.

RB Texas Hold Em, a 4-year-old son of TM Fred Texas, battled on the lead with 43-1 longshot Mizzdora and 20-1 longshot Thess is Awesome before taking command of the field at the quarter pole to draw away by a final margin of six lengths under jockey Gabriel Saez.

“We rested him a lot since we got him and we got lucky with a good jock,” said trainer Nicole Ruggeri, who took over the training from Jerenesto Torrez in April. “He is such a fun horse. He is very feisty. He was ready and he knows that he is the best.”

Gabriel Saez, jockey of RB TEXAS HOLD EM (winner): “I was glad Nicole gave me the call on this horse. I was in a great spot and I felt like I was back in Delaware Park like from back in the day. In the post parade I got him loose from the pony and warmed him up well.

RB Texas Hold Em returned $17.80, $6.40 and $4.60. Mizzdora, under jockey Edgar Morales, held second to return $27 and $11.40. Madjikman closed late for third under Keibar Coa to return $3.80. Easter Man, the even-money favorite, ran wide nearly the entire race and finished fourth.

The field was completed by Bellfastt, Uptown Cruisedirector, Quick and Rich and Thess Is Awesome.

~ end