Higher Power possible for Southwest or Risen Star

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Higher Power is nearing his stakes debut. The 3-year-old half-brother to millionaire Alternation is unbeaten at two turns, and among his wins is a first-level allowance Jan. 13 at Oaklawn.

Higher Power rallied from off the pace for a three-quarter-length victory over the well-regarded New York Central. For the effort, Higher Power earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 79. He has since worked five-eighths in 1:01.40 at his base of Oaklawn.

“Right now, we’ll probably nominate to the races here and at the Fair Grounds,” said Donnie Von Hemel, who trains Higher Power for breeder Pin Oak Stable. “I think now that he’s won two races there’s not a whole lot of options as far as trying to find an allowance race. That’s probably not going to happen.

“We’re very interested in looking at the Southwest, or the Risen Star at the Fair Grounds. I think he’s a pretty nice horse, so we better find out what we can do.”

The Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest is Feb. 19 at Oaklawn, while the Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star runs Feb. 17. Both are points races for the Kentucky Derby.

Alternation won the Grade 2 Peter Pan at 3 and the next season captured the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap. He also raced for Pin Oak, and Von Hemel said Higher Power shares some other similarities with Alternation.

“I think they both have good size to them and both want to run a route of ground,” he said.

Higher Power is by Medaglia d’Oro.