Higher Power's bloodwork off following poor performance in Pegasus World Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. – Higher Power returned to Santa Anita with his bloodwork “upside down,” trainer John Sadler said Wednesday, reasoning that stress from travel was a factor in his last-place finish as the favorite in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

“He came back sound, but pretty stressed from the trip,” Sadler said. “I’d say he didn’t travel very well. Some of his bloodwork when he got back is upside down. So we have to wait that out.”

Although Higher Power was racing without Lasix for the first time in his career Saturday, Sadler said he did not bleed in the race. When asked if racing without Lasix may have compromised Higher Power, Sadler said, “We don’t know.”

Pegasus conditions prohibited the anti-bleeding medication. In recent races, all 10 runners in the Pegasus were treated with Lasix.

Higher Power, winner of the Pacific Classic last summer at Del Mar and third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in fall at Santa Anita, ranks among the top older horses in California with five wins and more than $1.4 million in earnings from 16 starts.

Sadler and owner Hronis Racing will wait until Higher Power recovers from the travel and resumes training before determining his spring campaign. He will not ship to the Saudi Cup in February or to the Dubai World Cup in March.

“The Middle East is off for him,” Sadler said.