Strong Poison looks to be a strong contender for the upcoming Three Diamonds Pace at The Meadowlands after a sizzling qualifying effort on Saturday (Nov. 12) at The Meadowlands.
Last seen finishing third in the 2022 Breeders Crown at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Strong Poison sports 11 top-three finishes in 12 appearances with a mark of 1:49.3 and more than $442,000 in earnings. With eliminations looming for the Three Diamonds in one week's time, the connections of Strong Poison surely would have liked what they saw on Saturday.
Dupree Hanover (Andy McCarthy) cut the first three parts of the mile with fractions of :30.3, :59.1 and 1:27.3. After sitting third through those first three splits for driver Yannick Gingras and Ron Burke, Strong Poison advanced steadily around the far turn and sprinted home in a sharp :25.1 to trip the timer 1-1/4 lengths the best in 1:53.
A daughter of Always B Miki - Fiyonce, Strong Poison is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, JandT Silva Stables LLC, Knox Services Inc. and Beasty LLC.
In a qualifier for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings — possibly serving as a tightener for the upcoming Governor's Cup — Nazare (David Miller) appeared to hold off the pocket-pop rally from 2022 Breeders Crown third-place finisher Combustion (Todd McCarthy) but El Rey came flying down the stretch from fifth and last for driver Scott Zeron to collar the front duo by a neck for the 1:51.4 score. His final quarter was charted as :25.3.
Most recently seen competing and winning during the Corbin meet at The Red Mile for trainer Tony Alagna, El Rey (Captaintreacherous - Mystery Game) is a four-time winner owned by Brittany Farms LLC and El Rey Racing with a mark of 1:49.3.