Higher Power gives Sadler and Hronises a second Gold Cup contender

ARCADIA, Calif. - Not that Gift Box needs any help May 27 in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, but trainer John Sadler and owners Kosta and Pete Hronis plan to unveil a second shooter in the 1 1/4-mile dirt race.

“Our secret weapon, Gift Box II,” Sadler said describing recently acquired Higher Power.

A 4-year-old by Medaglia d’Oro, Higher Power was purchased at auction for $250,000 in April at Keeneland and will be making his California debut.

Higher Power won 3 of 9 in the Midwest for trainers Mike Stidham and Donnie Von Hemel.

“He’s got a stallion’s pedigree,” Sadler said. “And, he’s never been on turf. He’ll be nominated to the Shoemaker and the Gold Cup, but I’m leaning toward the dirt.”

Gift Box, winner of the Santa Anita Handicap, is the certain Gold Cup favorite with Big Cap runner-up McKinzie being pointed to the Met Mile at Belmont Park. The likely second choice is Vino Rosso, the 2018 Wood Memorial winner. Vino Rosso is expected to ship Thursday from Belmont.

Core Beliefs, the locally based 4-year-old who upset the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap in March at Fair Grounds, will stretch to 1 1/4 miles for the first time in the Gold Cup. Lone Sailor, recent runner-up in the Oaklawn Handicap, will ship from Kentucky for the $500,000 Gold Cup, trainer Tom Amoss confirmed.

The May 27 card at Santa Anita also includes the Grade 1 Gamely for turf fillies and mares. Locally based Vasilika and Ahimsa and East Coast shipper Rymska are among the probable starters for the Gamely, a BC Challenge race for the Filly & Mare Turf.