Riyadh Dirt Sprint triumph for Elite Power

The 2022 Eclipse Champion Male Sprinter, Elite Power picked up right where he left off with an easy three and a quarter-length win in the Gr.3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Saturday.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 26th February 2023, by Heather Anderson:

The favourite held fellow American-bred challenger and Gr.1 Hopeful Stakes hero Gunite in second in the $1.5-million 1200-metre race.

In between horses as Meraas (Oasis Dream) showed the way, the $900,0000 Keeneland September yearling raced in the last third of the field away from the kickback in the center of the track. Piloted by veteran jockey Frankie Dettori, who rode Juddmonte's star mare Enable and is riding his final season, the five-year-old had about five lengths to make up at the 500-metre mark. The Italian said go a few strides later, and Elite Power unleashed a strong turn of foot to motor right by his rivals before the final furlong and win as he pleased.

Gunite also made steady late progress to take second, another two lengths to the good of Remake. The victory marked the first time a Breeders' Cup winner had landed a Saudi Cup day event, and it was the first time an American-based horse had made the winner's circle in the Dirt Sprint.

Dettori said: "My first word has to be aeroplane. I was a little out of reach and asked him to get a little closer and then the turbo just kicked in and I was a passenger then. He's a very laid-back horse and only does what you ask him to do but wow he has some turn of foot. The Abdullah family has given so much to the sport; the legacy keeps going. I love these colors and it's nice to give the locals something to cheer about."

Neil Poznansky, assistant to trainer Bill Mott, said: "He's a big strong animal. He shows nothing but class. He shipped over here like he was here his whole life. He's a good horse, a very good horse. His turn of foot is incredible, he's just incredible to watch, a magnificent animal."

"He's really coming into himself and getting better. Now he's putting it all together. Bill doesn't come here without reason but bringing a horse like Elite Power is a good reason to come. For Frankie and Juddmonte it was like a whole dynasty thing."

Comparatively lightly raced, Elite Power's victory was his sixth in a row.