From DMTC Publicity
DEL MAR, Calif. (Sept 4, 2021) — Brown, Klein and Lebherz’s unbeaten Joker Boy shook off several challenges and drew away late to tally by three and a half lengths Saturday at Del Mar in the $100,500 I’m Smokin’ Stakes for Golden State Series- eligible 2-year-olds.
The colt by Practical Joke, out of the Dixieland band mare Bandera, was bred by Premier Thoroughbreds and had Edwin Maldonado in the irons for trainer Brian Koriner as he picked up a winner’s check for $57,000 to enhance his bankroll to $99,000 and his record to two-for-two. He ran the six furlongs in 1:10.77.
“After he won (his maiden) we thought of this race,” said Koriner. “We thought he might be good enough to go in the Futurity. But then you’ve got Bob Baffert freaks in there so we opted for the easier spot and it worked out. Now on Breeders’ Cup Day they have a Cal-bred race for $150,000 or $200,000 (it is the $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Stakes at seven furlongs) and that will be next. It should be no problem for him.”
Finishing second in the stakes was Lovingier, London or Zondlo’s Rock N Rye, the 7/5 race favorite, and running third was Lovingier, Beckerle or Carrillo’s Thirsty Always.
The winner paid $19.80, $6.20 and $3.60 across the board. Rock N Rye returned $3.20 and $2.40, while Thirsty Always paid $2.60.
The race is part of the $4.35 million Golden State Series for California breds that consists of 36 races at five different tracks around the state. Del Mar hosts eight of them.