Power Strokin has the figs

Power Strokin looks to stake his claim as top handicap router at Yavapai Downs in Sunday's $21,000 Mile-Hi Handicap. The 1 1/16-mile event lured a field of eight.

Power Strokin has run twice this meet. He held on to win an optional claimer at a mile here June 4 and then stalked the pace and powered home to win the one-mile Les Mackin by 3 1/2 lengths here June 19. He earned Beyer Speed Figures of 80 and 81 for those races, and those are the top figs in the field.

Power Strokin has not raced since the Mackin, but has worked in super fashion for owner Chris Dipiero and new trainer Ed Kereluk. He went five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.40 here July 28 and then backed it up with a bullet five furlongs in 58.80 here Aug. 14. Jocelyn Kenny, the gelding's regular partner this year, has the ride again at high weight of 122 pounds.

Lydia's Legacy, trained by Ronal Chappell, was a distant second to Power Strokin in the Les Mackin. A 7-year-old gelding, Lydia's Legacy next cut back to 5 1/2 furlongs in the Yavapai Downs Handicap and rallied to be third, beaten nine lengths by winner King Justin. The move back to a route may help. Hilario Estrella rides at 121 pounds.

Cat of Fifty Seven deserves respect. Trained by Chad Ferguson, he was fourth behind Power Strokin and Lydia's Legacy in the Les Mackin and then came back to finish third in a mile optional claimer here July 30, beaten less than a length. A one-time Southern California-based horse, Cat of Fifty Seven will again be ridden by Alberto Higuera at 119 pounds.