Slade Power continues fine form with July Cup victory

Irish trainer Edward Lynam has the very good sprinter Sole Power for five-furlong fast-ground races, but when rain softened the Newmarket course for Saturday’s Group 1 July Cup over six furlongs, Lynam scratched the horse. Fortunately for Lynam, he has an even better six-furlong sprinter who comfortably handles soft going, and Slade Power blew away his rivals in the July Cup.

As the field in the straight-course sprint broke into two groups, Slade Power took up a tracking position under Wayne Lordan as Noozhoh Canarias led a seven-horse pack on the far side of the course. Lordan called on his horse for run with a little less than a quarter-mile left, and Slade Power sliced quickly to the lead, coming home powerfully to win by 1 1/2 lengths over the longshot Tropics. Gregorian finished third, while Wesley Ward-trained, Wes Welker-owned Undrafted was a fine fourth, missing second by less than one length. The winner was timed in 1:12.40 over going rated good to soft.

The 5-year-old Slade Power, an Irish-bred Dutch Art horse bred and owned by Mrs. S. Power, won for the 10th time in 19 outings. Decent at 2 and 3, Slade Power really began to develop partway through his 4-year-old season last year, and he has hit peak form this year. He won a Group 3 at The Curragh to start his campaign, moved on to capture the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, and made it 3 for 3 with Saturday’s tally.

Slade Power is bound for the Sept. 6 Haydock Sprint Cup and then the Nov. 8 VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington in Australia, after which he is scheduled to take up a stallion career for Darley.