Power Alert Powers His Way to Victory in Silks Run

Power Alert maintained his unblemished record on the Gulfstream Park turf course Saturday, powering his way to victory in the $75,000 Silks Run Stakes.

Owned by trainer Brian Lynch and AJ Suited Stable, the 6-year-old Australian-bred gelding ran his course record to 4-0 with a triumph by three-quarters of a length over 6-5 favorite Amelia's Wild Ride in the five-furlong turf stakes for older horses. Ridden by Luis Saez for the first time, the 3-2 second choice ran the distance in 54.83 seconds to record his fifth victory in nine starts since being imported from Australia.

"He's a machine," Saez said. "He can really run. He's a nice horse."

Saez subbed for regular rider Julien Leparoux, who, less than an half hour after the Silks Run, guided the Lynch-trained Baciami Piccola to victory in the Florida Oaks (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Power Alert encountered a little crowding at the start but quickly engaged pacesetter Do the Roar along the backstretch and taking the lead into the far turn. The son of Alert continued to show the way into the stretch, where he opened a clear lead and held gamely to withstand Amelia's Wild Ride's late rally. Do the Roar held third, another 2 1/2 lengths back. Although Amelia's Wild Ride has proven a tough competitor for Power Alert in their six meetings, the Ramon Preciado-trained 5-year-old has yet to get the better of his flashy gray nemesis.

"It didn't look like we might get a good trip in the beginning because everybody came out running, but when I let him run, he kicked in," Saez said.