Elite Power Overwhelms Vosburgh Rivals
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coglianese Photos/Janet Garaguso
Elite Power wins the Vosburgh Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
Juddmonte's Elite Power made his stakes debut a winning one Oct. 8 in the $242,500 Vosburgh Stakes (G2), a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up at Aqueduct Ractrack.
The 4-year-old Curlin chestnut secured a "Win And You're In" berth to the six-furlong $2 million Qatar Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland.
"The timing was good, the distance was good, and it came up a good race for him," said Elite Power's Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. "Now, I'll speak with (Juddmonte general manager) Garrett O'Rourke and see what he has to say. We get a free ticket into the Breeders' Cup, so I'll see what he wants to do."
Elite Power broke alertly from post 4 in the five-horse field under Jose Lezcano but allowed Jalen Journey to rush up the rail to take command through an easy opening quarter-mile in :23.66 over the fast main track.
Elite Power took over heading into the turn as multiple graded-stakes winner Drafted loomed large to his outside with Eastern Bay cueing up behind that one through a half-mile in :47.68. The trio lined up across the track late in the turn, but Elite Power drew off under a hand ride to secure a 5 3/4-length victory in a final time of 1:23.98. Eastern Bay completed the exacta by five lengths over Drafted with Southern District and Jalen Journey completing the order of finish.
Mott said he was pleased with the trip for Elite Power, who raced closer to the leader than normal, owing to the slow pace.
"He did it pretty easy today," Lezcano said. "When I showed the whip at the three-sixteenths, he really took off and went on to win the race very comfortable."
Lightly raced due to shin issues earlier in his career, Elite Power finished off the board in a pair of sophomore starts. He has now racked up four consecutive wins this season.
"It gives you a lot of options that he can go from six (furlongs) to a mile throughout the course of the year," Mott said. "All things being equal, he'll probably race next year and have another race this year. I'll see what Garrett wants to do. I'm sure he has some thoughts and ideas. It is nice to win a 'Win And You're In' and all your fees are paid."
Elite Power banked $137,500 in victory while improving his record to 4-0-1 in seven starts. He returned $3 for a $2 win ticket.
Bred in Kentucky by Alpha Delta Stables, Elite Power is the first stakes winner out of the Vindication mare Broadway's Alibi , who in 2012 captured the Forward Gal Stakes (G2) and Comely Stakes (G3) before a runner-up finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Broadway's Alibi is a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner and stakes-producing Mid-Atlantic sire Golden Lad . Elite Power is the only one of her seven foals to compete. One of those is not yet of racing age, a yearling full brother to Elite Power.
Juddmonte purchased Elite Power for $900,000 in 2019 at the September Yearling Sale from the Lane's End consignment.