West Will Power punches Classic ticket with Stephen Foster win

Henderson, Ky.

The race may have been transplanted from its old Kentucky home to a much smaller Kentucky home. But don’t tell Brad Cox that Saturday’s Grade 1 Stephen Foster Stakes was a watered-down version of its usual self.

“This was a serious Grade 1,” Cox said after he trained post-time favorite West Will Power (2-1) to a pace-stalking victory in the race that was run for the first time in Western Kentucky at Ellis Park. “This Grade 1 was as strong as if this race was held at Churchill. No one ducked the raced because it was held at Ellis.”

Oh, ’tis glorious, as the race’s namesake lyricized. It was Cox’s 39th Grade 1 victory, all since 2018. This one qualified West Will Power for a spot in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, a race Cox won with Knicks Go in 2021. That will be at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita. Saturday’s race went one lap of Ellis Park’s 1 1/8-mile main track rather than 1 1/8 laps of Churchill Downs’ one-mile course.

West Will Power has a record of 6: 4-2-0 going nine furlongs, and he is a 6-year-old son of Bernardini. Because of that, Cox believes West Will Power can get a 10th furlong for him, for jockey Flavien Prat and for owners Gary and Mary West.

“I do based off pedigree,” he said. “One thing about most of the West horses that they breed and bring along is that they have stamina. They breed two-turn dirt horses. We’ve got several 2-year-olds in for them. We just take our time with them and bring them along at their own pace. Some of them have more speed than others, but ultimately, I’d say 80-90 percent of the horses they breed are going to be better going two turns.”

West Will Power certainly came along at his own pace. He did not make his stakes debut until June of his 3-year-old season of 2021. All three of his graded triumphs have come in about the last eight months.

“He’s a fantastic horse,” said trainer Kenny McPeek, who watched West Will Power leave his 4-year-old colts Rattle N Roll (6-1) behind in second and Smile Happy (3-1) fifth. “Maybe we were lucky to beat him in the Alysheba (G2). Certainly, he’s a really special horse, and he continues to get the job done.” 

One difference between the May 5 Alysheba, in which Smile Happy finished first and West Will Power third, was the pace. In that race nearly two months ago at Churchill Downs, they went the first half-mile in 47.80 seconds and the first three-quarters in 1:11.50. This time, eventual seventh-place finisher Speed Bias (14-1) went out in 46.97 and 1:10.83.

The bigger difference, though, was the trip. Both Cox and Prat said it was better to race three wide Saturday than it was to be stuck on the rail in the Alysheba.

“Last time we were down on the inside getting the pressure as opposed to giving the pressure today,” Cox said. “I just think he’s better like that. We kind of figured that out last time.”

“I think it was a different set-up today,” Prat said after his 62nd Grade 1 win in North America, all since 2015. “It seemed like he ran the race he ran in Louisiana.”

That was the March renewal of the New Orleans Classic (G2), where West Will Power went two wide on the way to a 4 3/4-length triumph over Art Collector. That was a stalking effort, too.

On a steamy 88-degree day and a fast track where speed was holding, West Will Power was never more than 1 1/2 lengths behind at any call and never farther back than second place. Speed Bias took the field through the first quarter-mile in 23.74 seconds with Stilleto Boy (7-1) up close before fading to finish sixth.

Prat made his move with West Will Power in the second turn, taking control in a homestretch where it has been difficult during this meet to make up ground. By the time he went the first mile in 1:35.20, he had a 2 1/2-length advantage. 

Rattle N Roll was rallying, making up seven lengths of ground only to come up a half-length short of West Will Power, whose winning time was 1:47.93.

Asked about Rattle N Roll defying the speed bias, McPeek said, “He ran well. He ran super. He continues to impress, and he raised himself up to another level. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get there, but he ran great.”

Happy American (48-1), the longest shot in the field, rallied from last to finish third, two lengths behind the winner. Last Samurai (13-1) wound up fourth, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of an obstinate Smile Happy.

“He’s just temperamental, and we’ve dealt with this before with him,” McPeek said of Smile Happy, who was walked backward to the gate before he reluctantly allowed himself to be loaded. “I’m sure we’ll continue to deal with it, but I wish he was more professional going to the gate. He’s just really headstrong. ... Rattle N Roll is just the consummate professional, so they’re a bit of polar opposites.”

For West Will Power, the Breeders’ Cup Classic beckons Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. Cox stopped just short of declaring it to be a firm November target.

“We’ll work our way back from there,” Cox said. “Ultimately it will be up to Mr. West if we decide to go there, and we’ll make a plan.”

Part of that plan may be the 1 1/8-mile Whitney (G1) in five weeks at Saratoga.

“The Whitney would be a prestigious race,” Cox said. “I’m hopeful he can be competitive. ... The Whitney would be something we’ll look at. Once again, we’ll talk to Mr. West. Santa Anita will be the year-end goal, and we’ll see how we get there.”