By Ryan Martin

 

Dixie Poker Ace Stakes
Fair Grounds, 3-3-18, 1 mile, turf, $60,000
4-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds

TRUST FACTOR
Paddy O’Prado–Mainsail
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Scrivener Stables
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie

2nd
Extra Credit
Proud Citizen–Sunny Isles
Breeder: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein
Owner: Klein Racing
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan

3rd
Morning Mischief
Into Mischief–Morning Ridge
Breeder: David Meche & Perry Judice
Owner: Al Ulwelling, Bill Ulwelling, and Joe Johnson
Trainer: Gary M. Scherer
Jockey: Florent Geroux

 

Scrivener Stables’ Trust Factor ($6.00, $3.20, $2.40) held off a late charge from Extra Credit in the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes, a one mile event on the Stall-Wilson Turf Course restricted to Louisiana-breds.

The son of Paddy O’Prado sat just a length off of a slow pace set by Morning Mischief who was making his turf debut and set opening fractions of 24.57, 49.40 and 1:14.09 while Zarb’s Gift kept close company and sat a half-length off of the pacesetter.  At the top of the stretch, Morning Mischief gave way to Zarb’s Gift who took the lead before being passed up by Trust Factor. The eventual winner was confronted by the favorite Extra Credit in the final furlong of the event but had just enough to hang on by a nose and stopped the clock in a time of 1:37.93 with jockey Corey Lanerie in the irons. Front runner Morning Mischief ($5.20) completed the trifecta.

Trained by Mike Maker, Trust Factor scored his seventh victory in 15 career starts and earned $36,000 from a win in the Dixie Poker Ace, which increased his bankroll to $284,000. It was the second stakes victory for Trust Factor, who won the Louisiana Legends Turf Stakes at Louisiana Downs last July.

Rounding out the field were Gentlemen’s Agreement,Grande Basin,Mageez, Berniestrike and last year’s Dixie Poker Ace winner Let Us Be Glad.