ARCADIA, Calif. — Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott put an exclamation mark on yet another memorable Breeders’ Cup weekend after Juddmonte’s Elite Power rallied to a 1 1/2-length triumph over archrival Gunite Saturday at Santa Anita in the $2 million Sprint. Elite Power’s successful defense of his title in the Sprint gave Mott his third win of the 2023 Breeders’ Cup following a victory earlier on the card with Cody’s Wish in the Dirt Mile and Just F Y I on Friday in the Juvenile Fillies. Elite Power was the third Breeders’ Cup winner on the card for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., following earlier victories in the Classic aboard White Abarrio and the Filly and Mare Sprint with Goodnight Olive.  Elite Power likely clinched a second straight Eclipse title by virtue of his popular victory in the Sprint which came in the final start of his brilliant career. Juddmonte’s U.S. bloodstock manager Garrett O’Rourke confirming after the race that Elite Power will enter the breeding shed in 2024. Elite Power was hustled a bit after the start to race within closer proximity of the pace than usual in the run down the backstretch of the six-furlong Sprint. Elite Power ranged up within easy striking distance of the early leaders while in reserve and came four wide turning for home. The chestnut son of Curlin then overtook the leaders nearing the sixteenth marker and edged clear under vigorous handling to the wire. :: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets. Gunite, who defeated Elite Power in the Grade 1 Forego after finishing second-best behind the reigning sprint champ in both the Vanderbilt and Riyadh Dirt Sprint earlier this season, raced well-placed stalking the pace of Speed Boat Beach from the outset. Gunite engaged that one for command upon settling into the stretch, continued on willingly but once again could not quite match strides with Elite Power at the end. Nakatomi saved ground, eased out for the drive and rallied to finish third, another half-length behind Gunite. Speed Boat Beach set the pace for over five panels before weakening through the final furlong to be fourth. The Chosen Vron, Hoist the Gold, Dr. Schivel, and Three Technique rounded out the order of finish. Elite Power, a 5-year-old son of Curlin, covered the distance over a fast track in 1:08.34 seconds and returned $5.40 after registering the ninth win in his last 10 starts dating back to the spring of 2022. Elite Power was given a 111 Beyer Speed Figure. “I knew I was pretty loaded up with Cody’s Wish and Elite Power coming in here,” said Mott when asked how he felt about winning three Breeders’ Cup races this weekend. “Just F Y I was the unknown and she showed up. I’m so proud of my staff, the riders who ride the horses, the grooms, the hot walkers. They all stepped up and I think it really paid off. It was just spectacular.” Mott said he was just grateful he was able to have Elite Power back for another season after he won the Sprint and was ultimately named sprint champion in 2022. "Ninety percent of the time those horses win a Breeders’ Cup, they’re off to the stud barn,” said Mott. “I got lucky, the timing was right, I must have said a prayer that I’d get both he and Cody’s Wish back for another season and fortunately it worked out very well for both of them.” Mott gave Ortiz a lot of credit for Elite Power’s victory, especially his decision to try to keep the stretch runner a little closer to the pace than usual on Saturday. “Irad recognized the only horse to really come from behind all day was Cody’s Wish and he told me he intended to warm him up pretty good and have him a little closer without using him too hard if he could,” Mott noted. “And it worked out. When he switched leads and went into the turn, he picked it up on his own and put himself in good position. When he got right on that horse’s hip [Gunite], he kind of waited until he switched leads and when Irad asked him the question, he answered.” Mott also acknowledged Elite Power’s rivalry with Gunite this season and the fact it likely took another victory over that nemesis in the Sprint to clinch divisional honors for a second straight year. :: Get ready for Santa Anita racing with DRF PPs, Clocker Reports, Picks, and more. Shop Now.  “I thought he [Gunite] was the one to beat, they both showed up together again and fortunately for us, everything fell in place.”   Steve Asmussen, who trains Gunite, had nothing but praise for his horse as well as the winner immediately after the race. “He [Gunite] gives us such a great effort all the time. He’s travelled the world and always runs his race,” said Asmussen. “Obviously 1:08.34. That’s the answer right there. He [Elite Power] is the fastest horse in the world. Thankfully we got our one in the Forego. He [Elite Power] was just better today.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.