Drawing Post 6 at Yonkers Raceway may not qualify as relief in many instances, but trainer Jim Campbell was at least a bit thankful to see Alexas Power receive that starting spot for Saturday’s $111,444 final of the Lismore Pace.
“At least she didn’t draw the eight-hole again,” Campbell said with a laugh. “She moved in a couple spots.”
Alexas Power has made two previous starts at Yonkers Raceway this month and started from Post 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, Alexas Power had the fastest final quarter-mile in the race. She closed with a :27.3 panel in the elimination to make up more than seven lengths and finish one and three-quarter lengths behind winner Jewels Forreal.
Post 8 at Yonkers produces winners at a 3.8 per cent rate, while Post 6 is at 7.8 per cent. Post 1 leads the way, at 18.6 per cent.
“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.”
Alexas Power (Image courtesy Ken Weingartner / USTA)
Alexas Power, a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere out of the O’Brien Award-winning mare Michelles Power, is owned by breeder Jeff Snyder and his son, Michael. She is a full sister to stakes-winner Macs Jackpot and her family also includes Canada’s 2012 Horse of the Year, Michaels Power, as well as Hall of Famer Cams Card Shark.
The filly won three of her 13 races last year and earned $90,654 despite battling some health issues midway through her campaign. She is currently two-for-three this season and has banked $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 [well] this year. Hopefully she can keep it going.”
Alexas Power is the 5-1 third choice on the morning line in the Lismore, which is for three-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 early favourite. Jewels Forreal is the 9-2 second choice on the morning line.
Saturday’s card at Yonkers also includes the $300,000 Art Rooney Pace for three-year-old male pacers, in which Springsteen is the 9-5 morning line favourite.
Yonkers racing will begin at 6:50 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday. The Lismore has been programmed as Race 5 on the 12-dash card. The Rooney has been carded as Race 6.
The field for the Lismore Pace – with drivers, trainers and morning line odds – appears below.
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. Alexas 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
The field for the Art Rooney Pace – with drivers, trainers and morning-line odds – appears below.
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
(USTA)