Yonkers: Improved post should help Alexa's Power in Lismore

Drawing post six at Yonkers Raceway may not qualify as relief in many instances, but trainer Jim Campbell was at least a bit thankful to see Alexa’s Power receive that starting spot for Saturday’s $111,444 Lismore Pace final.

“At least she didn’t draw the eight-hole again,” Campbell said with a laugh. “She moved in a couple spots.”

Alexa’s Power has made two previous starts at Yonkers Raceway this month and started from post No. 8 both times. She won the first, a division of the Reynolds Memorial, and finished fifth in last week’s elimination for the Lismore. Each time, Alexa’s Power had the fastest last quarter-mile in the race. She closed with a 27 3/5 panel in the elimination to make up more than seven lengths and finish 1-3/4 lengths behind winner Jewels Forreal.

Post No. 8 at Yonkers produces winners at a 3.8-percent rate while post six is at 7.8 percent. Post one leads the way, at 18.6 percent.

“She raced really good last week and had a lot of pace finishing,” Campbell said. “She’s been finishing with a good kick. Over there (at Yonkers) you just have to hope for a good trip because it is such a trip-biased track.”

Alexa’s Power, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere out of the O’Brien Award-winning mare Michelle’s Power, is owned by breeder Jeff Snyder and his son Michael. She is a full sister to stakes-winner Mac’s Jackpot and her family also includes Canada’s 2012 Horse of the Year Michael’s Power as well as Hall of Famer Cam’s Card Shark.

The filly won three of 13 races last year and earned $90,654 despite battling some health issues midway through her campaign. She is 2-for-3 this season with $19,783 in purses.

“She was good last year, but she ran into some good fillies and a little bad luck,” Campbell said. “I’m happy she’s gotten off to a good start because she trained back really good this year. Hopefully she can keep it going.”

Alexa’s Power is the 5-1 third choice on the morning line in the Lismore, which is for 3-year-old female pacers. Pass Line Bluechip, the winner of five of nine races this year and second by a head to Jewels Forreal in the elimination, is the 8-5 favorite. Jewels Forreal is the 9-2 second choice.

Saturday’s card at Yonkers also includes the $300,000 Art Rooney Pace for 3-year-old male pacers. Springsteen is the 9-5 morning-line favorite.

Racing begins at 6:50 p.m. (EDT). The Lismore is race five on the 12-race card and the Rooney is race six.

Following is the field for the Lismore Pace, with drivers, trainers, and morning-line odds.

1. Solitary, Brent Holland, Nick Surick, 12-1; 2. Jewels Forreal, Dan Dube, Ron Burke, 9-2; 3. Believe In Me, Brian Sears, Brett Pelling, 9-1; 4. Pass Line Bluechip, Jason Bartlett, Wayne Givens, 8-5; 5. Python Blue Chip, George Brennan, Ron Burke, 6-1; 6. Alexa’s Power, Tim Tetrick, Jim Campbell, 5-1; 7. Checkered Past, Mark MacDonald, Peter Foley, 20-1; 8. Reign On Me, Brett Miller, R. Nifty Norman, 7-1.

Following is the field for the Art Rooney Pace, with drivers, trainers, and morning-line odds.

1. Minnie Vinnie, Tim Tetrick, Gareth Dowse, 6-1; 2. Kwik Talkin, George Brennan, Rob Harmon, 5-1; 3. Springsteen, Brian Sears, Rene Allard, 9-5; 4. Trump Nation, Jason Bartlett, Chris Oakes, 3-1; 5. Jimtastic, Eric Goodell, Andrew Harris, 20-1; 6. Major Authority, Mark MacDonald, Andrew Harris, 20-1; 7. Babes Dig Me, Brett Miller, Tony Alagna, 10-1; 8. Decoy, David Miller, Jimmy Takter, 7-1.

-Courtesy of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, please visit www.ustrotting.com