West Will Power Romps in Hagyard Fayette on Closing Day of Keeneland Fall Meet

LEXINGTON, KY (Oct. 29, 2022) – Gary and Mary West’s homebred West Will Power took the lead out of the gate and never was threatened in posting a 6 3/4-length victory over stablemate Fulsome in the 65^th running of the $350,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2) for 3-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon to highlight the closing day of Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet.

Earlier on the program, Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables and Old Bones Racing Stable’s Balnikhov (IRE) won the 18^th running of the $271,088 Bryan Station (G3) for 3-year-olds and Lea Farms’ Super Chow took the third running of the $200,000 Bowman Mill for 2-year-olds.

In the Hagyard Fayette, Joel Rosario sent West Will Power right to the front and led the field of five through fractions of :25.17, :49.17 and 1:13.93 while maintaining a daylight advantage. At the head of the stretch, West Will Power expanded his lead and coasted to his first stakes victory.

Brad Cox trains West Will Power, who covered the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:50.68. It is the second victory in the race for Cox and Rosario with the former saddling 2018 winner Leofric and the latter scoring on Tom’s d’Etat in 2019.

West Will Power is a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Bernardini out of the Wild Event mare Wild Promises. Now 12-5-5-0 in his career, West Will Power earned $217,000 in the Hagyard Fayette to increase his earnings to $525,230.

West Will Power returned $4.74, $3.10 and $3.28. Fulsome, ridden by Florent Geroux and trained by Cox, returned $4.56 and $4.58 and finished three-quarters of a length in front of Last Samurai, who paid $5.52 to show under Tyler Gaffalione.

It was another 3½ lengths back to King Fury with favored First Captain finishing last.

Balnikhov (IRE) takes Bryan Station

In the Bryan Station, Balnikhov came from far back to overtake favored Wit in deep stretch by a neck to claim his first graded stakes victory.

Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Balnikhov completed the mile on a firm turf course in 1:35.48.

Classic Causeway set the pace and led the field of 12 through fractions of :23.05, :46.72 and 1:11.87 as Balnikhov raced next to last while getting a ground-saving trip.

At the quarter pole, Balnikhov still only had one horse beat. Wit launched a four-wide move at the head of the lane and surged to the front at midstretch as Balnikhov was moving off the rail for clear running.

Wit maintained his advantage until the final 20 yards when Balnikhov surged by.

Balnikhov is an Irish-bred son of Adaay out of the First Defence mare Leeward. The victory improved his record to 14-5-3-2 and boosted his earnings to $398,343 with Saturday’s $141,438 check.

Balnikhov returned $15.28, $5.56 and $3.98. Wit, ridden by Jose Ortiz, returned $3.92 and $3.24 and finished a half-length in front of Axthelm, who paid $8.58 to show under Luis Saez.

It was another half-length back to Portfolio Company in fourth with Play Action Pass, Classic Causeway, Fort Washington, Double Clutch, Wow Whata Summer, Ready to Purrform, Fuerteventura and Stolen Base following in order.
 

Bowman Mill goes to Super Chow

In the Bowman Mill, Super Chow assumed control quickly out of the gate and then opened up at the head of the stretch to cruise to a 5-length victory over Bourbon Bash.

Trained by Jorge Delgado, who posted his first Keeneland victory, and ridden by Chantal Sutherland, Super Chow covered the 6 furlongs in 1:12.06.

Super Chow led the field through fractions of :22.50 and :46.27 while being tracked by favored Sir Lancelot. At the top of the stretch, Super Chow hit another gear and quickly opened up on the field and coasted to his third victory in four starts.

Super Chow is a Kentucky-bred son of Lord Nelson out of the Warrior’s Reward mare Bonita Mia. The victory was worth $122,450 and increased his earnings to $205,850.

Super Chow returned $10.96, $4.76 and $3.22. Bourbon Bash, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, returned $5.38 and $3.24 and finished 1¾ lengths in front of Raise Cain, who paid $3.16 to show under Gerardo Corrales.

It was another three-quarters of a length back to Sir Lancelot, who was followed in order by Quick Hammer and Jeremy’s Jet.