Higher Power Makes Inspired Run in Pacific Classic
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Higher Power crosses the wire 5 1/4 lengths ahead of his competition in the Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar
In the four months since he was plucked from the revived Keeneland April Sale, Higher Power has become a striking example of the power of change.
But for Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
It was business as usual for the powerful California connections Aug. 17 at Del Mar, as they picked up their second consecutive win in the $1,001,775 TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1).
The stable's recently acquired 4-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro proved his prowess as a runner in undeniable fashion Saturday, kicking clear in the final quarter-mile of the 1 1/4-mile dirt test to win by daylight.
Trading the Midwest for the West Coast, taking up residency in Sadler's barn, and swapping out his former silks for Hronis Racing's familiar green and white proved to be exactly what he needed to reach the next level.
The Pacific Classic carried with it the added pressure of a "Win and You're In" automatic berth to the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park for Higher Power, who was stepping up to grade 1 company for only the second time in his career. Against a stacked field of nine others runners that included three grade/group 1 victors, Higher Power earned his first stakes victory.
Breaking from post 6 with Flavien Prat in the irons, the bay runner sped to the front pack and stalked the pace just off the rail. Quip took early command just outside of his rival and set fractions of :23.68 and :47.69 through the half-mile, while Mongolian Groom stalked the frontrunning pair between horses in third.
Still in control as six furlongs went in 1:12.65, Quip was forced to duel briefly with Higher Power before his rival angled out even wider to cut a path between horses as the field left the backstretch and entered the far turn. Higher Power got his nose in front deep in the turn before sweeping to the lead. He was in command by two lengths as they reached the mile mark in 1:37.32, and showed an impressive turn of foot as he continued to add to his leading margin down the stretch. He crossed the wire 5 1/4 lengths clear in a final time of 2:02.43 on a fast track.
"There were no special instructions, just to make him comfortable," said Prat. "We were in a good spot all the way around. At the three-eighths (pole), I asked, and he took up the bit and went from there. He was traveling well all the way around. I thought he would run a good race today. He had been training so well, I thought he'd have a good one in him today."
Draft Pick, who stalked Higher Power four wide as he made his move on the far turn, got up to take second by a neck over Mongolian Groom.
"He ran huge," said Joe Talamo, who was aboard the runner-up. "I had lots of horse all the way around there. Hat's off to the winner, but my horse ran great. (Trainer) Peter (Eurton) asked me, 'What do we do now?' I told him, 'Win the (Breeders' Cup) Classic!'"
Tenfold was fourth, followed by Campaign and War Story. Favored Seeking the Soul—who earned a berth in the Classic with his win in the June 15 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2)—finished a non-threatening seventh.
"He didn't try at all," said Seeking the Soul's jockey, Johnny Velazquez. "No effort. I don't get it. I just don't know why. Nothing. Very disappointing."
Pavel, Quip, and For the Top completed the order of finish.
"The second time is just as sweet," said Sadler, who sent out Accelerate to win the 2018 edition. "It developed pretty much the way we thought. We thought there would be some speed on the inside, and the plan was to stalk. It came out the way we thought it would."
Higher Power entered Saturday's race off a second-place finish in the July 21 Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar. Prior to that effort, he ran fifth in the May 27 Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (G1) before winning next out in a June 14 allowance optional claiming race at Santa Anita. His only prior graded effort came in the 2018 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park for then-owner Pin Oak Stable and trainer Donnie Von Hemel.
Bred in Kentucky by Pin Oak Stud, Higher Power is the 10th foal out of the stakes-winning and grade 2-placed Seattle Slew mare Alternate. He is a half brother to Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner Alternation, who has stood at Pin Oak Stud since 2014, and to stakes winner Interrupted.
Alternate has a Curlin yearling and was bred back this season to Maclean's Music .
Higher Power was purchased for $250,000 by Lane's End Bloodstock from the Stidham Racing consignment to the April sale. He has a 5-1-4 record from 13 starts, with $800,648 in earnings.