Mythical Power edges Euroears in Texas Mile

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - The has had several tight finishes through the years and Saturday's running was no exception as Mythical Power edged past Euroears late for a neck win in the Grade 3, $200,000 stakes at Lone Star Park.

"It was exciting," said Bob Baffert, who trains Mythical Power for Peachtree Stable. "At least the fans got to cheer all the way."

Mythical Power ($5.40) settled about a half-length off pacesetter Euroears in the early stages of the Texas Mile and in the stretch the battle was on. Mythical Power cut into the leader's advantage coming to the eighth pole, and pushed past him nearing the wire. It was the sixth time that the Texas Mile, which was first run in 1997, has been won by a margin of a neck or less.

In all, there were three stakes on the first major card of the meet and perfect weather conditions helped draw an ontrack crowd of 18,232.

Mythical Power was content to track Euroears through fractions of 23.81 seconds, 47.21, and 1:11.23 before completing the mile on a fast track in 1:35.71. Fifteen Love finished third, 3 lengths behind Euroears

Mythical Power gave jockey Martin Garcia his second stakes score on the card. One race earlier, Garcia won the $50,000 Grand Prairie Turf with Deal Breaker ($3.60).

Baffert said next-race plans are to be determined for the Southern California-based Mythical Power, who traveled to Texas to win last year's Grade 3 Lone Star Derby.

Mythical Power, a 4-year-old son of Congaree, has now won 3 of 9 starts and $581,040. It was Baffert's third Texas Mile victory. The others came with Isitingood in 1997 and Preachinatthebar in 2006.

* In the Turf Challenge, Deal Breaker, trained by Mike Mitchell and owned by for Jimmy Ukegawa, rallied for a 2 1/4-length win, covering the mile on firm ground in 1:35.66.

* Bubbler ($10.60) took the final stakes on the program, the $50,000 Irving Distaff, when she tracked defending champ and pacesetter Hotlantic to the stretch and went on to a three-quarter length win. Bubbler covered the 7 1/2 furlongs on turf in 1:28.58. Eddie Martin Jr. rode the winner for Du-Zee Stables and trainer Bret Calhoun.