Power Alert surges to victory in Silks Run

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – There’s a new player in the upper ranks of the turf-sprint niche in North American racing.

Power Alert, an Australian-bred gelding, will take his act to Keeneland for his next start after surging to a half-length victory as an odds-on favorite Saturday in the $75,000 Silks Run on the Gulfstream Park turf.

“This was his prep for the Shakertown,” said owner-trainer Brian Lynch, referring to a Grade 3, $125,000 turf sprint on the April 4 Blue Grass Stakes undercard.

Under Julien Leparoux, Power Alert stalked the pace from a favorable outside spot before taking over from the front-running Bold Thunder and holding sway from Amelia’s Wild Ride in the final 100 yards. He paid $3.80 after finishing in 55.80 seconds over a firm turf.

Power Alert, a 5-year-old gray, now is 2 for 2 since being imported by Lynch. Both races have come over the Gulfstream course.

The $2 exacta (8-6) paid $13, the $1 trifecta (8-6-2) returned $35.60, and the 10-cent superfecta (8-6-2-7) was worth $16.13.