Higher Power strong in final Pegasus drill

ARCADIA, Calif. -- Higher Power on Saturday morning at Santa Anita turned in his final drill for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 25 in a manner suggesting he will a major threat for the top prize at Gulfstream Park.

With regular rider Flavien Prat aboard, Higher Power worked five furlongs, beginning about three lengths behind a workmate. He sat in that spot for more than half the drill, cruised past his company in upper stretch, and was five in front -- with the margin widening -- as he came past the finish post.

Higher Power was given an official time of 59.60 seconds, through trainer John Sadler had him faster, in 59 seconds.

"I loved it," said Sadler, who watched the work with co-owner Kosta Hronis and Hronis's wife, Stephanie. "Prat was on him for his second consecutive work. It looked like a big work. It's fun when you get close and everything seems to be going so well."

Sadler said Higher Power is scheduled to fly to Florida on Tuesday.

A fellow California-based runner, Omaha Beach, is the likely favorite for the Pegasus. He has been at Gulfstream for three weeks. A third California runner, Mucho Gusto, was officially put in the race on Saturday by trainer Bob Baffert, who was encouraged by the way Mucho Gusto worked on Thursday and how he trained Saturday morning at Santa Anita.