Juddmonte's reigning U.S. champion sprinter Elite Power ran out a dominant winner of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) to give star jockey Frankie Dettori the victory he craved at The Saudi Cup meeting Saturday at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The quality the 5-year-old Bill Mott-trained son of Curlin had been on display last fall when lifting the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland and was manifest again as he put away a strong field by 3 1/4 lengths lengths from another American runner, Gunite.
The Japanese challenger Remake finished two lengths further back in third. Last year's victor Dancing Prince finished fifth.
Elite Power's winning time for the 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) was 1:11.01.
The outcome of the race was settled with 200 meters remaining when Dettori unleashed a furious turn of foot from Elite Power, who had been settled in midfield through the initial stages.
Dettori had just been denied in a thrilling climax to the previous race, the Saudi Derby (G3), on another American runner, Havnameltdown, but he could cruise to victory at his leisure aboard Elite Power, who was operating a different level far superior to his rivals.
Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) Quotes
Frankie Dettori, jockey, Elite Power, winner: “My first word has to be aeroplane. I was a little out of reach and asked him to get a little closer and then the turbo just kicked in and I was a passenger then.
“He's a very laid-back horse and only does what you ask him to do, but, wow, he has some turn of foot.
“The Abdullah family (of Juddmonte) has given so much to the sport; the legacy keeps going. I love these colors and it's nice to give the locals something to cheer about.”
Neil Poznansky, assistant to trainer Bill Mott, Elite Power, winner: “He's a big strong animal. He shows nothing but class. He shipped over here like he was here his whole life. He's a good horse, a very good horse. His turn of foot is incredible, he's just incredible to watch, a magnificent animal.
“He's really coming into himself and getting better as he was really slow to mature. Now he's putting it all together. Bill doesn't come here without reason but bringing a horse like Elite Power is a good reason to come. For Frankie and Juddmonte it was like a whole dynasty thing.”
Scott Blasi, assistant trainer, Gunite, runner-up: “We are very proud of him. We got beat by an Eclipse (Award) winner. I still think we have a very nice sprinter and after this, we will talk to Steve [Asmussen] and see what's coming next. Dubai is on the radar. He had maybe a little [traffic], but when Tyler (Gaffalione) asked him, he fired. Tyler said, 'He was really there for me, but [Elite Power] was flying.' So, hats off to the winner.”
Yuichi Fukunaga, jockey, Remake, third: “The pace was as fast as I expected and I was in a good spot, watching the winner in front of me. My horse showed a great turn of speed but the winner was just too strong.
Damian Lane, jockey, Dancing Prince, fifth: “It's disappointing, he didn't break that well, I travelled comfortably the first half of the race and never came home.”
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