Saratoga 2023: Elite Power, Gunite renew rivalry in Vanderbilt

Reigning champion male sprinter Elite Power bested dual graded stakes-winner Gunite when they last faced off in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) in February in Saudi Arabia. The two millionaire sprinters will renew their rivalry 6,400 miles away when they battle for divisional supremacy in Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, a six-furlong test at Saratoga.

Juddmonte’s Elite Power, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, won 5 of 6 starts last year, taking the Vosburgh (G2) at Belmont at the Big A and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland to complete his championship season.

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The 5-year-old Curlin chestnut made his seasonal debut with a powerful performance in Saudi Arabia, soaring to a 3 1/4-length score over a grinding Gunite, who earned place honors.

Elite Power did not return until June 10, easily posting a 1 3/4-length win in the 6 1/2-furlong True North (G2) at Belmont Park.

“He got the job done. He did what he had to do and we did what we had to do to bring him along,” Mott said of the successful, season debut.

Elite Power worked a half-mile solo in 51.22 seconds Sunday over the Oklahoma training track in a breeze that Mott indicated was similar to the chestnut’s half-mile work in 51.11 seconds Oct. 28 over the Oklahoma ahead of his Breeders’ Cup coup.

“That's him by himself,” Mott said. “He's run well off of those kind of works right before his races. He did that in Saudi. He was working 51 before he won the Breeders' Cup. He wouldn't wow anyone when he's working by himself.”

Elite Power, who boasts a record of 10: 7-0-1 and purse earnings in excess of $2.4 million, won his lone start over the Spa main track by toppling an optional-claiming field here in September.

The Spa’s leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call from post 4 aboard Elite Power, who will carry a field-high 126 pounds.

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Kentucky homebred Gunite posted a record of 7: 4-2-0 last year, winning stakes in the Maxfield and Harrods Creek at Churchill Downs, the Amsterdam (G2) at Saratoga and the Perryville at Keeneland.

The dark bay tuned up for Saturday’s test by posting a career-best 108 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form, with a stalking effort in the six-furlong Aristides on June 3 at Churchill Downs. He scored a 1 3/4-length win over Bango, who exited that effort to win the Kelly’s Landing at Ellis Park.

Asmussen holds Gunite, an eight-time winner with earnings in excess of $1.7 million, in high regard.

“He’s exactly what horse racing needs. Versatile, durable and honest,” Asmussen said. “He’s hard as hickory as a horse can be mentally and physically. He doesn’t care where it’s at. Saratoga, Dubai, Saudi, Hot Springs. He’s going to run.”

Tyler Gaffalione retains the mount from post 5 aboard Gunite, who was assigned 124 pounds.

The Alfred G. Vanderbilt is slated as the eighth of Saturday’s 12 races with a post time of 4:26 p.m. EDT.