RB Texas Hold Em Wins $100,000 President of the UAE Cup

Jun 16, 2019 Kevin Kerstein,Churchill Downs Communications

Byerley Racing’s RB Texas Hold Em pulled off the 7-1 upset to win the $100,000 President of the UAE Cup Sponsored by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs (Grade I), a 1 1/16-mile event for Arabian-breds at Churchill Downs.

RB Texas Hold Em, a 4-year-old son of 2011-12 President of the UAE Cup winner T M 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.”

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.

With his victory in the President of the UAE Cup, RB Texas Hold Em earned $58,280 to boost his career earnings to $75,270 with a record of 10-5-1-3.

PRESIDENT OF THE UAE CUP QUOTES

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.

Nicole Ruggeri, trainer of RB TEXAS HOLD EM (winner): “We rested him a lot since we got him and we got lucky with a good jock. He is such a fun horse. He is very feisty. He was ready and he knows that he is the best.”