Poiema scores 4th victory; closes in on $200,000

Poiema returned from a vacation of more than three months yesterday and was reunited with former jockey Eddie Perez in the seventh race at Gulfstream Park; Perez took her wire-to-wire in a $51,000 allowance optional claimer at seven furlongs.

The 4-year-old filly broke on top, and never had a breather as she passed the furlong markers in :22.87, :45.70 and 1:10.34. She crossed under the wire three-quarters of a length in front clocked in 1:23.41, collecting a check for $31,300. Poiema raised her record to 4-3-2 in 18 starts and her earnings to $180,735, becoming winner No. 6 for Neolithic this year.

The $14,000 OBS June 2-year-old bred by Cheryl and James McGuire paid $8.60 and received an Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of 89. She’s her sire’s third highest earner and first to reach four victories.