Elite Power Overpowers Rivals in Riyadh Dirt Sprint

Juddmonte's Elite Power  was the best dirt sprinter in America last year.

Now it can be said around the globe that there's no better dirt sprinter.

The 5-year-old son of Curlin   was a decisive winner against top-class international competition as he pulled away in the stretch to register a 3 1/4-length victory over fellow American Gunite  in the $1.5 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint Stakes (G3) Feb. 25 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia.

"I would think so without a doubt," Garrett O'Rourke, manager of Juddmonte's USA operations, said about Elite Power being the world's best dirt sprinter. "It wasn't just the field he beat but the way he did it. It was such a dominant performance. The streak he has going now is super impressive."

Bred by Alpha Delta Stables in Kentucky, Elite Power notched his sixth straight victory for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and first since a 1 1/4-length score in the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) that led to his 2022 Eclipse Award as the champion sprinter.

"My first word is that he's an airplane. I asked him to get a little closer, and he just took off, and he did the rest. It was unbelievable," jockey Frankie Dettori said. "The turbo kicked in, and I was passenger after that."

Elite Power, saddled by Mott's assistant and exercise rider Neil Poznansky, was sixth in the early going but launched a strong rally from the outside, turning into the stretch and swept to the front with 200 meters left in the 1,200-meter (about six furlongs) contest.

"When he came around the bend, you were hopeful, but then the race was over in a flash," O'Rourke said. 

The 5-year-old Elite Power, a winner of six of nine starts, earned $900,000, matching the amount Juddmonte paid to buy him from the Lane's End consignment at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Given the influence of his sire and out of the Vindication  mare Broadway's Alibi , who was second in the 2012 Kentucky Oaks (G1), O'Rourke and Mott were not necessarily expecting to be rewarded with a champion sprinter when they purchased him.

"When we bought the colt we were dreaming of a mile-and-a-quarter and the Kentucky Derby (G1), but he's so brilliant sprinting," O'Rourke said. "Anytime you buy a horse at that kind of expense there's a lot on the line, so it's great to get rewarded."

The victory was also emotionally rewarding for the Saudi-based three sons of the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah Al Saud and their family members who now run Juddmonte's worldwide operation. Their father was a half brother of King Abdulaziz, founder of Saudi Arabia.

"We're all so delighted Prince Khalid's love of racing transferred down not just one generation but two," O'Rourke said. "It's great to be able to give the family rewards like this and keep the interest going."

O'Rourke said he and Mott would discuss plans with the owners, but the original thought was to return Elite Power to the United States for some time off.

"Bill thought, 'Let's go to Saudi, and then gave him a break,'" O'Rourke said. "All horses need a break, and it will be nice to have him in top shape at the end of the year."

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Gunite was fourth in the early stages as Meraas , trained by American Chad Summers, set the early pace. Once Elite Power powered past, Gunite, a homebred son of Gun Runner   trained by Steve Asmussen, moved up in the final furlong to grab second and complete the American exacta, two lengths ahead of Remake.

Meraas, who started his career in Europe but was coming off a win at Aqueduct Racetrack, faded to last in nine.

Dancing Prince, winner of last year's Riyadh Dirt Sprint, was fifth.

Final time was 1:11.01.