Higher Power seeks Kentucky Derby points in Rebel

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Donnie Von Hemel took down a Kentucky Oaks points race last weekend at Oaklawn with Cosmic Burst in the Grade 3 Honeybee. On Saturday, the barn tries to add a Kentucky Derby points race when Higher Power runs in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel.

The Rebel will reward its first four finishers with Kentucky Derby points on a scale of 50-20-10-5. The race is one of three stakes Saturday at Oaklawn – all at 1 1/16 miles. The Rebel will share the card with the Grade 2, $350,000 Azeri for fillies and mares and the $300,000 Essex Handicap. Entries were to be drawn Wednesday.

Higher Power will be making his stakes debut in the Rebel. He will be looking for his third straight win, following a maiden special weight in his two-turn debut Nov. 8 at Remington Park and a first-level allowance route Jan. 13 at Oaklawn. Higher Power was a three-quarter-length winner in his last start, defeating a field that included New York Central, who came back one race later to win an allowance at Oaklawn. Higher Power earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 79.

“His last race was a very good effort,” Von Hemel said. “He was kind of in some traffic for the better part of the race. When he got a chance, he got out, and got the job done, and I thought looked good doing it.”

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The plan was to advance to either the Southwest at Oaklawn or the Risen Star at Fair Grounds.

“He came up with a little bit of a cold the week before, basically, so we didn’t get to run in either race,” Von Hemel said. “It cleared up – no significant after effects – and he’s trained beautifully since. It’s kind of to the point where we need to get him out there and see where we’re at with him.”

Higher Power races for his breeder, Pin Oak Stable.

“I think he’s a true route horse,” Von Hemel said. “I think a mile and a sixteenth, a mile and an eighth, those races are going to be well within his scope. So far, he’s taken everything in stride. He seems to have a good mind and handles things well, so that will be in his favor.”

Higher Power is a half-brother to Alternation, a past winner of the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap for Pin Oak and Von Hemel. Higher Power’s dam, Alternate, is a multiple stakes-winning daughter of Seattle Slew.

“He has the right pedigree to continue to improve, and that’s what horses have to do this time of year – they have to continue to get better if you want to run in these kind of races. So, we’re going to give him a chance and see what he can do.”