Mary and Gary West's homebred West Will Power kicked to the lead nearing the home turn, then drew clear down the stretch to win the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) by 4 3/4 lengths Saturday at Fair Grounds while becoming racing's newest millionaire.
The 6-year-old son of Bernardini, ridden by Flavien Prat for trainer Brad Cox, pressed pacesetter Treasury downs the backstretch and launched his winning bid at the three-furlong pole before powering away to a convincing victory.
West Will Power won for sixth time from 15 career starts. He entered Saturday's race off a pair of strong seconds in the Clark (G1) behind Proxy last November at Churchill Downs and the Razorback (G3) behind Last Samurai Feb. 18 at Oaklawn in his 2023 bow.
West Will Power paid $7.20 after running 1 1/8 miles in 1: 47.95. Early fractions were :23.55, :47.30, 1:11.24, and 1:35.54.
Art Collector, the 4-5 favorite, finished second and Mr. Wireless checked in third.
Kentucky-bred West Will Power was produced by the Wild Event mare Wild Promises. The $300,000 winner's share of the purse increased his lifetime earnings to $1,086,730
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