By Steve Sherack
In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.
Prime Power (Medaglia d'Oro) earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure in his 2-year-old unveiling at Fair Grounds Dec. 26. And he's still a maiden.
Off at odds of 7-2 for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Prime Power hit the ground running from post eight and was hounded to his outside by the Brad Cox-trained firster Gunmetal (Gun Runner) through sharp fractions of :21.88 and :44.89.
The Winchell Thoroughbreds colorbearer dug down gamely in the stretch and held a narrow advantage into the final furlong, but couldn't withstand a final push from his aforementioned rival, who fought on by to win by 1 1/4 lengths. It was another 7 1/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Fanatical (Nyquist).
The final time for six furlongs was 1:09.85.
“I saw what everybody else did–a very fast race and all the numbers came back indicating that he's got a nice future,” Asmussen said. “Very pleased with how he came out of the race. I'm happy to have him and look forward to running him back.”
Asmussen continued, “He's very impressive. He's a very nice horse to look at. Always been very nice to train. Expected a good run from him and I think he validated what we had seen in the mornings as far as showing ability. Do believe that he'll stretch out a bit. We'll try to move him out in distance off that race.”
Prime Power pictured as a foal with his dam Princess Peggy | Stonestreet
Prime Power, a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling graduate bred by Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, is the second foal out of the winning Scat Daddy mare Princess Peggy, a half-sister to champion female sprinter Gamine (Into Mischief).
His second dam, the New York-bred Peggy Jane (Kafwain), was a $200,000 OBS April purchase by Banke's Grace Stables in 2011.
Leading sire Medaglia d'Oro is responsible for 27 Grade I/Group 1 winners worldwide, including the Asmussen-trained and Stonestreet-raced Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra.
“The Stonestreet breeding program is very impressive,” Asmussen concluded. “I think that he's going to be a good horse.”
The newly turned 3-year-old returned to the worktab with a four-furlong breeze in :51 (85/109) at Fair Grounds Jan. 4.
The 'Second Chances' Honor Roll is headed by Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and GISWs A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Locked (Gun Runner), Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and Speaker's Corner (Street Sense).
What shining debut for #10 Gunmetal @fairgroundsnola! ??
The 2-year-old colt by Gun Runner came out firing for trainer @bradcoxracing and @flothejock.
Be sure to add this promising star you your TwinSpires Stable Alerts! pic.twitter.com/5hE6GnYNDG
— TwinSpires Racing ?? (@TwinSpires) December 26, 2024
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