Juddmonte's Elite Power notched his fourth straight win and added a first graded stakes to his record Saturday when pulling away in the stretch and scoring comfortably in the $250,000 Vosburgh (G2) Saturday at the Belmont at the Big A meet.
The 4-year-old Curlin colt rolled to a 5 3/4 -length triumph under Jose Lezcano and finished the seven furlongs in 1:23.98 on a fast track.
Trained by Bill Mott, Elite Power earned an automatic, fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland as part of the “Win And You're In” qualifying series.
Eastern Bay made a determined outside run from last to finish second, 1 ½ lengths in front of Drafted, who raced evenly in third throughout but lacked a finishing kick.
Elite Power sprinted to the lead early then settled just behind Jalen Journey, who asserted himself and clocked a :23.66 opening quarter with a one-length advantage. Elite Power took over charge into the turn as multiple graded stakes winner Drafted loomed to his outside with Eastern Bay gearing up through a half-mile in :47.68. Those three lined up across the track late in the turn, but Elite Power drew off under a hand ride to secure a victory.
Elite Power returned $3. He has four wins from five starts this year and a 4-0-1 record from seven career outings and $365,711 in earnings. He made just two starts late last year due to some shin issues but has matured and flourished since then, Mott said.
Elite Power was bred in Kentucky by Jon Clay's Alpha Delta Stables. His dam is the Vindication mare Broadway's Alibi. Juddmonte bought him for $900,000 from the Lane's End consignment at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
G2 Vosburgh Quotes
A “Win And You're In” for the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint
Bill Mott, winning trainer of Elite Power (No. 4, $3*): “We didn't make any big plans as far as where he was going to positioned, although we did note that there didn't seem to be a lot of early pace. He broke and he was closer than normal and that didn't seem to bother him. He was fine where he was at. They went the first half in 47, but you go to a race like the Breeders' Cup and they'll go 44. He's a good closer. If he gets a good, fast pace in front of him, he can close going six or seven [furlongs].
“We were looking for a spot. The timing was good, the distance was good, and it came up a good race for him. Now I'll speak with [Juddmonte general manager] Garrett O'Rourke and see what he has to say. We get a free ticket into the Breeders' Cup, so I'll see what he wants to do.
“It gives you a lot of options that he can go from six [furlongs] to a mile throughout the course of the year. All things being equal, he'll probably race next year and have another race this year. I'll see what Garrett wants to do. I'm sure he has some thoughts and ideas. It is nice to win a 'Win And You're In” and all your fees are paid.
“I don't know that you'll get any sprint races with a slow pace like this. It's not a matter of what he wants to do, I think he's just going to have to adapt to a different pace scenario other than what he had today. He had to adapt today from what he was used to previously.”
Jose Lezcano, winning jockey aboard Elite Power (No. 4): “When he broke, I made a decision to let him be there [close to the pace] and go for it. He was very comfortable the whole way around. When I saw the number three [Eastern Bay], I showed the whip and [he went on].
“He did it pretty easy today. When I showed the whip at the three-sixteenths, he really took off and went on to win the race very comfortable.”
Javier Castellano, jockey aboard runner-up Eastern Bay (No. 3): “We were just second best, we couldn't catch the winner. The winner was much the best in the race. My horse deserved second place and beat the rest of the horses pretty well. I'm very satisfied with the way he did it. Unfortunately, it was a short field and we didn't see much speed. He's a come-from-behind horse. I wish there could have been a little more pace in the race, but that's what we've got to deal with. I think they'll look at the big times in the future with the horse.”
Winning margin: 5 3/4 lengths
Final time (seven furlongs): 1:23.98
Fractions: 23.66, 47.68, 1:11.87
Full order of finish: 4-3-5-1-2
The post ‘It Came Up A Good Race For Him’: Elite Power Draws Off In ‘Win and You’re In’ Vosburgh appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
