4 yr old gelding POWER ALERT continues to impress since relocating to the USA from Wagga Wagga NSW, claiming the Group 3 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks day in a record time of 55.17 seconds on a firm track. The previous record was established by Silver Timber in the same race in 2010 in a time of 55.45 seconds. POWER ALERT's blistering speed exceeded his own sire's 55.2 seconds when ALERT claimed his own Group 1 victory in the 1000m San Isidro Gran Premio Estrellas Juniors Sprint.
Ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux for trainer Brian Lynch, POWER ALERT made it 3 wins from 4 starts in the USA, taking the lead shortly after jumping out of the barriers and held off a late challenge from Undrafted to win comfortably by three-quarters of a length. Leparoux told Churchill Downs media "I was very proud of the way he ran today. He was comfortable on this course and when we were challenged down the stretch, he responded nicely when I asked him for run."
The race replay can be viewed here.
Photo credit Barbara Livingston.
