Poker

Sunday's $100,000 Poker H. (G3) features a solid field of seven turf runners

going a mile over the Widener Turf Course at Belmont Park. We've been encouraged

by the progress of AROUND THE CAPE (Carson City) since he switched to the turf

this season for trainer Bill Mott, and he rates a slight advantage in this

competitive affair.

Winner of the six-furlong Jaipur H. (G3) last time, Around the Cape will make

his first start past seven furlongs here but should be able to stretch to a mile

with his breeding on the dam's side. Opening his 2006 campaign with a sharp win sprinting

on the turf at Gulfstream, the bay four-year-old has posted a 2-1-1 mark from

four starts on the green, the last three against stakes rivals. He just missed in the Shakertown S. (G3) two starts back with his late rally, and he'll be picking off

rivals from just off the pace in this spot. Around the Cape owns excellent BRIS

Speed ratings this year and could own a bright future on the lawn. We'll look

for a strong showing from the improving colt.

WILLARD STRAIGHT (Lion Cavern) finished second by a neck in this event last

year and is always dangerous with his late kick. The Todd Pletcher trainee will

offer some value in this spot, and we're willing to forgive his last couple of

unplaced efforts at Keeneland and Woodbine and expect an improved showing.

Stablemate VICARAGE (Vicar) could help shake things up on the front end, and

Willard Straight is a four-time winner at the distance with BRIS Late Pace

ratings as high as 110 in his recent outings. He adds blinkers and merits

respect from off the pace.

REMARKABLE NEWS (Ven) (Chayim) is an up-and-coming turf performer trained by

Angel Penna Jr. The four-year-old colt has yet to finish off the board from

seven career starts, including five wins, and made his stakes debut last out in the Connaught Cup (Can-G3) at Woodbine.

The chestnut colt gamely persevered in front-running fashion in that one, registering a solid 96 Speed figure

and a triple-digit Late Pace rating. While his last victories have come wire-to-wire, Remarkable News is versatile enough to rate and will probably sit just off

the pace under Javier Castellano here. He looks dangerous on the cut back in

distance.

T. D. VANCE (Rahy) will be forwardly placed with jockey Kent Desormeaux and

enters this event in good form, winning a 1 1/8-mile stakes at Delaware Park

last out. The Graham Motion trainee is very hard-trying when on his game, and we

wouldn't be surprised to see him in serious contention all the way to the finish

line. He's cross-entered in Monday's C$300,000 King Edward Breeders' Cup S.

(Can-G2) at Woodbine.

REBEL REBEL (Ire) (Revoque) was no factor in the Dixie S. (G2) most recently

and hasn't shown enough in his U.S. starts for us to recommend his chances here.

WOODLANDER (Forestry) captured the 1 1/4-mile Lexington S. (G3) at Belmont last

summer, but he's winless from three starts at a mile and could find this company

too difficult. Vicarage has the class to carry his speed if he takes to the

turf, but he ran poorly in his only previous attempt. We'll just watch to see

how he fares this time.