Storming down the stretch with ground-devouring strides, Elite Power reeled in front-runners C Z Rocket and Jackie's Warrior to win the $2-million Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Saturday at Keeneland.
Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Bill Mott, Elite Power surged clear for a 1 ¼-length triumph while completing six furlongs 1:09.22 on a fast track.
C Z Rocket held on for second, a half length in front of third-place finisher Jackie's Warrior, the reigning champion sprinter.
A 4-year-old Curlin colt campaigned by Juddmonte, Elite Power notched his first win at the highest level, which followed his first stakes win in the Vosburgh (G2), his stakes debut, Oct. 8 at the Belmont at the Big A meet.
Super Ocho spurted out to set the early tempo while Jackie's Warrior stalked from second, about 1 1/2 lengths back. Super Ocho came out entering the stretch carrying Jackie's Warrior to the six path and opening a hole along the inside for C Z Rocket and Elite Power to challenge.
Jackie's Warrior and C Z Rocket were joined midway down the stretch by Elite Power, powered to the front on the outside with a sixteenth of a mile to run. C Z Rocket dug in to hold the runner-up spot. Jackie's Warrior was three-quarters of length in front of Manny Wah in fourth.
Ortiz said Elite Power had a perfect trip.
“He broke real sharp and I let him settle. I let the speed go. I was able to cut the corner around the turn. When I tipped him out, he was there for me. He kept going forward. He gave me a really good kick from the quarter-pole to the wire. He's a nice horse. I rode him with a lot of confidence.”
The Sprint victory marked the fifth straight win this year for Elite Power, who has an overall record of 5-0-1 from eight starts. He made just two starts late last year due to some shin issues but since breaking his maiden in early June at Churchill Downs has matured and flourished.
“He's just a horse with a lot of natural talent,” Mott said. “It was just a matter of waiting for his bones and his mind to mature a little bit. Once he got into the rhythm, he just kept improving. He's been a good ways back in some of his races, but he doesn't have to be.
“He's done nothing wrong this year. He was late coming. He had a couple of races as a 3-year-old and since we brought him back, he got beat the first time and has been perfect since. He has improved and won at a variety of distances. The cut back (in distance) today was always a little concerning when you are running against a horse as good as Jackie's Warrior but hey, he come down in the middle of the racetrack and ran them all down.”
Flavien Prat said he was proud of C Z Rocket's effort.
“I got him into a good position,” he said of teh 31-1 longshot. “I was actually surprised to be that close. I had a little hope for a while.”
Joel Rosario said Jackie's Warrior did everything he asked him to.
“That horse (Super Ocho) went to the lead and I sat right off of him. He ran his race.”
Trainer Steve Asmussen expressed his amazement to Jackie's Warrior had never won a Breeders' Cup race.
“He's a very special horse – physically, mentally and his ability. It's a disappointment. I was happy with where he was at (during the race). If I could do it over again, obviously, I wouldn't have hung out where he did. I don't like the outcome, but hail to the victor.”
Saturday's win was worth $1,040,000 and improved Elite Power's lifetime earnings to $1,405,711
Elite Power, who returned $13.10, 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.
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