Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Gunite put on a show at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 26 and turned the tables on his nemesis, Elite Power , to post a 1 3/4-length victory over that rival in the Forego Stakes (G1). This rivalry certainly paints the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Park as a race for fans to mark on their calendars.
Ridden to victory by Tyler Gaffalione, Gunite is trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen who notched his third Forego score in the last five years after wins with Mitole (2019) and Yaubon (2021).
When the gates opened in the seven-furlong Forego it was Gunite who shook off an early challenge from Pipeline to take the lead through reasonable fractions of :23.16 and :46.20. Pipeline was at his flank while Elite Power, the 3-5 favorite, was cruising comfortably along in third in the five-horse field.
As the field turned for home, Gunite, who carried 118 pounds, held a healthy lead while Elite Power, toting 124 pounds with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, was mounting a serious rally on the rail and the circumstances looked similar to that of the July 29 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1). Yet this time, Gunite kept going and Elite Power was not able to reel him in. At the finish of the $485,000 Forego, Elite Power had four lengths on the third-place finisher, High Oak , who was followed under the wire by Pipeline and Synthesis .
The final time over a fast track was 1:21.53. Not long after the Forego, a downpour added considerable moisture to the main track.
Gunite returned $4.60 for a $2 wager and ran his career record to 9-6-2 in 19 starts and drove his earnings to $2,094,509.
Owner Ron Winchell, who also bred the 4-year-old son of Gun Runner, said he felt a sense of ease when he saw the early fractions.
“This was definitely redeeming from the last race,” Winchell said outside of the winner’s circle. “I thought when they threw up the quarter, he was going to be tough to run down from there, and that’s pretty much how it played out.”
Owner and breeder Ron Winchell waiting for Gunite to return to the winner’s circle after the Forego Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
In addition to their meetings in the Forego and Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, Gunite and Elite Power butted heads in Saudi Arabia in February with the latter winning the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) and Gunite checking in second. Gunite’s victory in the Forego ended the eight-race winning streak Elite Power, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and champion male sprinter, brought with him to the race.
Asmussen said he thought it was likely Gunite would have a race before the Breeders’ Cup. While Bill Mott, the trainer of Elite Power, said “probably not” to that question.
“I love it,” Amussen said of the rivalry between Gunite and Elite Power. “It is so great to be a part of it. You know, the preparation…and you’re aware of who they are and you see them all the time. You have nothing but respect for them. You have to rise to the occasion and what better day to do it than Travers Day?”
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