Former champion sprinter Poker Star has been problematic to the point that he has fallen down the pecking ladder with some below-par performances which has seen him gone winless in almost 14 months.

Despite the plunge, the speedy gelded son of Liquidity out of the Take Me Out mare Buyabook still seems to pack a few punches and should turn his form around in today’s top-rated Open Allowance event for three-year-olds and upwards going five furlongs (1,000m) straight for a purse of $1.5 million at Caymanas Park.

How well will Poker Star run without the tongue tie today may be open to conjecture. Be that as it may, he has looked lively enough in his preparatory gallops to suggest a positive performance in this small but quickish field of seven.

The last time Poker Star raced over this distance, he was beaten by Talented Tony K by one length in a 59.1 seconds, but for some consolation he had Crucial Appeal — one of today’s main adversaries — behind him.

These two will head the handicaps and may have to dig deep to stem the flow from the in-form Choo Choo Blue. Owned by Miss Suckie and trained by Peter McMaster, Choo Choo Blue, though up in grade, should be gunning for the hat-trick of wins with only a feather of 108 lb (49.0kg) to tote with the claiming apprentice Javaniel Patterson up.

Royal Assault is another one who loves this galloping course and should have an impact on the outcome of the race. Royal Assault, who is trained by Anthony Nunes, will be ridden by the in-form Wesley Henry.

The others, Action Man, Polly B and Sir Budget, will have their say in the race without actually posing a threat to the more fancied rivals.

In addition to the top-rated Open Allowance event, two Trophy races are down to further highlight the 10-race card: The Master Blaster Trophy, a Restricted Allowance race for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (NW3 O/T) as the principal feature going five furlongs (1,000m) straight for a purse of $680,000; and the Henry George Harrison Snr Memorial Cup, a Restricted Allowance event for native-bred four-year-olds and upward (NW2) going six-and-a-half furlongs (1,300m) for a purse of $620,000. First post is at 1:00 pm.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 Dan Dan, Explosive Charge, Smashing One

Race 2 Timeforacat, Money Move, Copperfield

Race 3 Francia’s Pride, Storming, Dysfunctional

Race 4 Nuclear Commander, Senor Kwanzi, Musketoon

Race 5 No Pain No Gain, Tracking Daniel, Batidor De Mundo

Race 6 Arizona Gold, No Money Friend, Runjohnny Run

Race 7 Vice Royalty, Princess Katriel, Ballerina Steel

Race 8 Seeking The Dawn, Gold Miner, Dr Banner

Race 9 Poker Star, Crucial Appeal, Royal Assault

Race 10 Major Force, Big Al, Boffo