SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Happy Birthday Bill Mott. The Hall of Fame trainer celebrated his 70th birthday in much the same manner he has celebrated so many others over the years: In the Saratoga winner’s circle.  This one was a little more special than most others, coming with Sprint champion Elite Power’s much-deserved head victory over Gunite in the Grade 1 Alfred Vanderbilt Stakes. Mott has now won a race at Saratoga in 18 of the last 27 years there has been racing on his birthday at this track. It took Elite Power nearly every step of the six-furlong Vanderbilt to keep both Mott’s birthday streak, as well as his own personal winning streak that has now reached eight consecutive victories, alive. With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, Elite Power broke well before easing back about five lengths off the pacesetting Dean Delivers in the run down the backstretch. Elite Power advanced to closer contention near the inside on the turn, angled widest entering the stretch, began to accelerate when put to a vigorous left-hand stick inside the three-sixteenths pole, ultimately wearing down Gunite in the closing strides. :: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.  Gunite raced in perfect position stalking the early leader, stuck his head in front before a half-mile, edged clear and appeared to hold a comfortable advantage nearing midstretch before succumbing grudgingly to the champ in the final yards. The two leaders easily separated themselves from the rest of the field, with another 8 1/4 lengths separating Gunite and the tiring Dean Delivers, who easily bested the others. The Vanderbilt gave the Juddmonte-owned Elite Power his second Grade 1 win. His first came in his 2022 finale in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Elite Power completed the distance in 1:09.22 seconds over a track that was sealed and downgraded to sloppy during the course of the day. The Vanderbilt marked the first time in 11 career starts he had ever competed over a wet surface. Elite Power paid $4.20 and registered a 108 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest in his 11-race career. “It looked like Gunite certainly had the jump on him turning for home,” said Mott while watching the replay of the race during a light rain shower from the winner’s circle after the race. “He opened up, he had the advantage. It’s tough to catch a horse on this kind of racetrack.  "I think our horse deserves a lot of credit making a big run over this surface. He doesn’t necessarily have to be in favor of an off track. I didn’t know that he couldn’t do it, but I didn’t know that he could, either. But in the end, class came through.” Mott admitted he was quite cognizant of the amazing run of success he’s had on his birthday here for nearly the last three decades. “It’s certainly been a productive date up to this point,” Mott said, with a laugh. “I really thought I was in with some good chances to win a race today. The birthday thing is fun, although the main thing is that they all run well and that we generate Grade 1 winners for a major stable like this one did today. This horse is just incredible. To put together a streak like this against top competition really boils down to ‘he’s a really good horse’. They don’t do it by accident.”   Mott said in all probability he’ll point Elite Power to the Grade 1 Forego here on August 26. “I’d have to say that’s the race we’d be looking at,” Mott said. “I think with Cody’s Wish going to the Whitney, we’d probably run him back in the Forego. Timing is favorable it seems right now.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.