Higher Power Runs Away With TVG Pacific Classic

[Wandering Eyes]

HIGHER POWER (c, 4, Medaglia d’Oro–Alternate, by Seattle Slew) took off a quarter mile from home and left his rivals in the dust, scoring by about six lengths in Saturday’s GI TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar, providing Hronis Racing and John Sadler with a second consecutive renewal (Accelerate, 2018). Able to secure a cozy stalking position in second stalking the pace of ‘TDN Rising Star’ Quip (Distorted Humor), the bay traveled comfortably through the middle stages, flanked by Mongolian Groom (Hightail) and Draft Pick (Candy Ride {Arg}) deeper out. Clicked up by Flavien Prat approaching the final quarter mile, Higher Power put the race to bed in a matter of strides, shooting away from his rivals to score as tons the best. Draft Pick kept on gamely to be second just ahead of Mongolian Groom. Race favorite Seeking the Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}) raced in the latter half of the field for the opening half-mile, but he came under a ride with a little more than three furlongs to race and was never a factor. With the victory, Higher Power gave his sire his second Grade I winner in the space of 30 minutes (24th overall), his 133rd black-type winner and 70th group/graded winner. He is also the 27th Grade I winner out of a mare by Seattle Slew. A half-brother to former ‘TDN Rising Star’ and current Pin Oak stallion Alternation (Distorted Humor), the 4-year-old was the second highest-priced offering in the horses-of-racing-age sale at Keeneland April, selling to these connections for $250,000. A two-time winner in five starts for Donnie K. Von Hemel and a Fair Grounds allowance winner this past winter for Mike Stidham, Higher Power had done his best work on the turf since his acquisition, annexing a June 14 Santa Anita allowance ahead of a runner-up effort in this track’s Wickerr S. July 21. Primarily through A.P. Indy, the cross of Medaglia d’Oro over Seattle Slew-line mares has been responsible for GISWs Plum Pretty, Bolt d’Oro and Dickinson. MGISW Elate has a second dam by A.P. Indy. Lifetime Record: 13-5-1-4. O-Hronis Racing LLC; B-Pin Oak Stud LLC (KY); T-John Sadler.

The post Higher Power Runs Away With TVG Pacific Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article