Plans Forming for Higher Power's Route to Breeders' Cup

Hronis Racing's Higher Power came out of his breakthrough victory in Del Mar's $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic (G1) well, trainer John Sadler reported Aug. 19.

The 4-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro  was making only his fourth start for his new connections when he took over halfway through the 1 1/4-mile event and drew off by 5 1/4 lengths to win in 2:02.43.

"He came out of the race very well—a little bit tired, big effort for him—but overall I thought he came out great," Sadler said. "As far as what's next for him, whether he goes in the Awesome Again or waits for the Breeders' Cup Classic will not  be determined until we get back up to Santa Anita."

The Sept. 28 Awesome Again Stakes (G1) is a 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-olds and up at Santa Anita Park. Sadler said Higher Power will not ship out if he races one more time before the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), scheduled for Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.

Both the Pacific Classic and Awesome Again are "Win and You're In" challenge races that award a fees-paid, automatic berth into the 1 1/4-mile Breeders' Cup Classic, which Sadler and Hronis won last year with Accelerate .

"It's a big entry fee and it's paid up, and he showed he handled the mile and a quarter well down here on a tough, challenging track," Sadler said of pointing to the Breeders' Cup. "That's the goal, for sure."

Higher Power was a $250,000 purchase by Lane's End Bloodstock for Hronis at the Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale in April. That same weekend, Hronis and Sadler won three races at the Lexington, Ky., oval, including the Limestone Turf Sprint Stakes with Ginger Nut.

Trainer Mike Stidham was consigning Higher Power for breeder Pin Oak Stud and called Sadler thinking the horse would be a good fit in his barn. Lane's End agent David Ingordo looked at Higher Power and liked the horse, so Sadler's assistant Juan Leyva brought the bay back to California after a winning weekend.

"It was a good little raiding party back to Keeneland to run and we came home with an extra horse," Sadler said. "How's that?"

Sadler said it was a "seamless transition" for Higher Power into his stable.

"He's a nice horse, really not a hard horse to be around," Sadler said. "He's just a good doer, eats good, and trains willingly, so it's been a pleasure."

Sadler also ran Woodford Racing's Campaign in the Pacific Classic. The 4-year old Curlin  colt began his career with Chad Brown and Steve Asmussen before debuting for Sadler this year. He's since won two 1 1/2-mile graded events—the April 14 Tokyo City Cup (G3) at Santa Anita and the July 24 Cougar II Handicap (G3) at Del Mar—and finished fifth when cutting back for the Pacific Classic.

"He came out good. He's a funny horse. He has a really big late run," Sadler said. "He was running fifth at the end but he had too much to do to get up in time. We'll probably get him back out in the marathon distances. He might even actually make a trip to Kentucky Downs."

Campaign broke his maiden nearly a year ago at the all-turf track at Kentucky Downs when he stretched out to 1 1/2 miles, and followed that with a 1 5/16-mile allowance victory a week later. Should he make the trip back for the Sept. 7 Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup (G3T), he would be back at his proven distance of 12 furlongs.

Sadler also trains older dirt horses Catalina Cruiser and Gift Box for Hronis.

Catalina Cruiser kicked off his season with a victory in the June 7 True North Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park and repeated in the July 20 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. The 5-year-old son of Union Rags , who only has one loss in seven lifetime starts, is being pointed at another repeat in the Aug. 24 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar, a "Win and You're In" race for the Nov. 2 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

"He had a great (six-furlong) work here last Saturday, a bullet work in 1:12 3/5, and just the way he did it was super," Sadler said. "I think he's going to be super tough on Saturday."

Gift Box was a private purchase in 2018 and he won the April 6 Santa Anita Handicap Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1). The 6-year-old son of Twirling Candy  last ran fourth in the June 15 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

"He's doing great. He's getting ready for the fall," Sadler said. "We haven't really planned anything yet as far as where we're going to run, but he's a good horse and a tough horse in that division."