Girl Power gets perfect trip and upsets Bishop Memorial

Beaten a neck in the 2018 Jack Bishop Stakes, Girl Power made amends with a 12-1 upset in the race’s 2019 renewal Friday night at Prairie Meadows.

Girl Power waited at the back of the short Jack Bishop field behind a protracted speed duel before entering the fray four paths wide on the far turn. Under Ken Tohill, she powered to the lead in upper stretch and went on to a 3 1/4-length victory.

Baydar, who led through a strong half-mile pace of 46.97, hung around gamely to finish second, two length clear of She’s Our Fastest, who lost the speed battle with Baydar. Odds-on favorite Abounding Joy hopped at the start, failed to get to the front, and never made an impression, checking in fifth. Miss Altamira was a stewards’ scratch.

Girl Power ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.49 and paid $26.40 to win. A 6-year-old mare by Pure Prize out of the Maria’s Mon mare Now U Know, Girl Power is trained by Don Von Hemel, who bred and owns her in partnership with Todd Dunn.