Powerline took the scenic route to the winner’s circle on Breeders’ Cup Saturday, overcoming a poor start and a sweeping wide trip to earn TDN Rising Star honors and lead home a West Point Thoroughbreds exacta at Keeneland.
With Flavien Prat aboard, the 2-year-old son of Flightline defeated fellow West Point runner Highwaymen by a length in the $150,000 maiden special weight. Highwaymen finished 4½ lengths clear of third in a highly encouraging debut for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
For Powerline, the victory required considerably more effort than anyone would have drawn up. He hesitated at the break, leaving last in the field of 10, then pulled his way into contention while racing wide. Prat guided him through a six-wide sweep around the turn and into the stretch seven deep. Despite covering all that extra ground, Powerline reached the front approaching the final furlong and kept finding more to secure his first victory in three starts.
“What a way to start the day,” said Keeneland track announcer Kurt Becker. “Huge run from Powerline to take the opener.”
The Steve Asmussen trainee completed seven furlongs in 1:22.26, faster than either of the weekend’s seven-furlong allowance events for 2-year-olds: Dormie’s 1:22.59 on Friday and Right in Time’s 1:24.18 in the fillies’ race immediately following his victory Saturday.
Prat, a Flightline colt and Breeders’ Cup Saturday at Keeneland made for a familiar combination. Four years after Flightline’s unforgettable Breeders’ Cup Classic triumph, his son provided another memorable moment for West Point and its partners.
West Point campaigns Powerline with John Oxley, Summer Wind Equine and Bee Zee LLC. Bred by Summer Wind Equine and Sarah S. Farish, he is out of the Quality Road mare Park Avenue.
Highwaymen gave his partners plenty to anticipate as well. Bumped hard leaving the chute, he recovered quickly under Jose Ortiz, advanced along the inside and emerged as a serious challenger in the stretch. Only Powerline could outfinish him.
For a colt making his first start against experienced rivals, it was a promising introduction and a strong foundation to build on.
