Power Alert breaks course record in Twin Spires Turf Sprint

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Power Alert rebounded from his only poor effort since moving to the United States last year and did so with a flourish Friday at Churchill Downs, setting a course record en route to a three-quarter length victory over a late-charging Undrafted in the Grade 3 Twin Spires Turf Sprint.

Power Alert had won his first two U.S. starts this past winter at Gulfstream Park, but finished fourth as the 5-2 favorite over a course officially rated “good” in Keeneland’s Grade 3 Shakertown on April 4. Trainer Bryan Lynch said he felt the little give in the racetrack that day played a big part in the outcome of the race.

“I felt like he got the track he likes today and it might have been a little easier on him than the last time,” said Lynch, who trains Power Alert for James Covello and A J Suited Racing Stable. “The boys at home told me to be careful with him on a soft track. He can’t pick up his feet. Because the track had never been raced on, it was opening day of the meet, and the sun had come out I thought we’d give it a try last time. But this race was ultimately our main goal. To get here and win it was very exciting.”

Power Alert left the gate running under jockey Julien Leparoux and controlled the pace while stalked by Shakertown winner Something Extra from the outset. Power Alert eventually discouraged Something Extra near midstretch before withstanding a final surge from Undrafted, who finished full of run down the center of the course to be second. Good Deed, the somewhat surprising 7-2 favorite despite being the only filly in the very evenly matched field, raced well-placed but had no closing response, finishing fourth in a field of a dozen turf sprint specialists.

Power Alert, an Australian-bred son of Alert, completed five furlongs in 55.17 seconds, eclipsing the track mark set by Silver Timber five years earlier. He paid $12.40.

“We worked him over there [Keeneland] on Sunday and he was very sharp off his work all week,” said Lynch when asked if he was surprised to see Power Alert on the lead. “And the way the track was going to play today, I felt he had to be close.”

Lynch also acknowledged the fact Power Alert has been able to race on Lasix since coming to the U.S. has been a major factor in his success.

“Lasix has certainly made a significant difference with him, for sure,” said Lynch.

Lynch said Power Alert would likely make his next start either in the $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint on May 30 or the Grade 3 Jaipur the following week at Belmont Park.