"February $50,000 II" (Day 2): Michael Corbett Shoots Up The Leaderboard, As Field Shrinks Fast

"February $50,000 II"
$175 No Limit Hold'em | $50,000 GTD
Level 18 (Blinds 3,000/6,000/1,000)
Total Entries: 552
Players Remaining: 72

Michael Corbett's (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) last (22) tournament cashes came here at the Isle Poker Room (dating back three years)...and he looks to have just put himself in position for another.

As the field loses players at a rapid pace, one player is trending in the right direction, with Michael Corbett (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) doubling up just moments ago.  As Table 1 was approached, Engelberth Valera had a bet of 45,000 in front of him, with Corbett just having shoved for 155,000.  After Valera got an exact count, he took about forty second, before dropping the chips across his cards for a call.  The hands would then be tabled, with Corbett holding a strong lead:

Corbett: K♥ K♠
Valera: 9♠ 9♣

Runout: A♦ J♦ 3♥ J♠ 4♣

The runout would bring no help for Valera, who dropped down to 120,000 after absorbing the loss.  Corbett would be pushed the over 320,000 chip pot, and now puts himself in the top fifteen of the remaining stacks.

Michael Corbett - 324,000 (54bb)
Engelberth Valera - 120,000 (20bb)