Elite Power works half-mile for Vanderbilt showdown with Gunite

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Elite Power and Gunite each put in workouts Sunday morning at Saratoga as they gear up for a second of what could be several meetings this year in Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap.

Following the first renovation break, Elite Power, the reigning sprint champion who has won seven straight races, went a half-mile in 51.33 seconds over the Oklahoma training track.

“That’s him by himself,” Bill Mott, the trainer of Elite Power, said, “He’s run well off those kinds of works right before his races.”

Earlier in the morning, Gunite worked a half-mile in 49.89 seconds over the Oklahoma training track. He got his last quarter in 24.47 seconds.

“He’s ready for his try,” said Steve Asmussen, trainer of Gunite.

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Gunite, a 4-year-old son of Gun Runner, won the Grade 1 Hopeful here in 2021 and the Grade 2 Amsterdam in 2022. He also finished second to Jack Christopher in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens last year.

Others expected to run in the Vanderbilt, at six furlongs, are Awesome Aaron, Dean Delivers, Gun It and possibly Lightening Larry and Little Vic.

Cody’s Wish works for Whitney

Cody’s Wish, winner of the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap in his last start, worked five furlongs in 1:02.84 Sunday morning for his next assignment in the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes on Aug. 5.

Under exercise rider Neil Poznansky, Cody’s Wish went in splits of 13.48, 26.62, 38.78 and got his last quarter in 24.06. He then proceeded to gallop out six furlongs in 1:15.51 and seven furlongs in 1:27.79.

“He sat on him, then it looked like he just let him off the bridle a little bit there and he picked it right up,” trainer Bill Mott said.

There are only eight horses nominated to the Whitney. In addition to Cody’s Wish, those under consideration to run are Charge It, West Will Power, Zandon and either/or Rattle N Roll and Smile Happy.

Art Collector and Giant Game are both nominated, but are more likely to point to the $1 million Charles Town Classic on Aug. 25.

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