SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — In a rivalry that will likely be renewed one more time this year at Santa Anita, on Breeders’ Cup day, Gunite avenged his two earlier losses this season to Elite Power, holding off that nemesis in late stretch to register a 1 3/4-length decision in Saturday’s Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga. In the process, he ended the reigning Sprint champion's eight-race winning streak, which included his victory in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Gunite first encountered Elite Power in February in Saudi Arabia, finishing a distant second Elite Power in the Grade 3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint. The pair met again here four weeks ago in the Grade 1 Alfred Vanderbilt Handicap, in which Gunite was run down in the closing strides by Elite Power to suffer a heartbreaking head loss, after opening a seemingly comfortable advantage near midstretch. Both those races were at six panels. Gunite was stretched out to arguably his preferred distance, seven furlongs, for his third meeting with Elite Power in the Forego. :: DRF's 2023 Saratoga headquarters: Previews, past performances, picks, recaps, news, and more. Gunite broke alertly under regular rider Tyler Gaffalione to set the pace while prompted by a well-held Pipeline in the run down the backstretch, with Elite Power perfectly placed and biding his time just behind and inside the early leaders. Gunite disposed of Pipeline while kept four paths off the rail into the stretch, dug in gamely under a strong right-hand stick from Gaffalione, as the favorite edged closer coming up the rail near midstretch, readily holding that one at bay to win going away in the end. High Oak, a last-minute entrant into the Forego, rallied from the rear of the field to finish third while never menacing the top pair. Pipeline and Synthesis rounded out the complete order of finish. Gunite, who captured the Grade 1 Hopeful, also at seven furlongs, here two years earlier, is a 4-year-old homebred son of Gun Runner, trained by Steve Asmussen for owner-breeder Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC. He completed the distance over a fast track in 1:21.53 seconds and returned $4.60 as the second choice behind the 3-5 Elite Power, and got a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. “Gunite is just a very special horse, to race at the level he has for as long as he has and so consistently,” Asmussen said. “It was a very tough defeat for him in the Vanderbilt and for him not to blink an eye and lay it down again, it proves what a special horse he is. All he wanted was another chance [against Elite Power] and today he proved how good he is.”                                              Asmussen acknowledged that getting to face Elite Power at seven furlongs rather than sixth in their third meeting was a bit of an advantage for Gunite. “Seven-eighths is probably his distance, his other Grade 1 win in the Hopeful was also at seven-eighths of a mile,” Asmussen said. “Yes he can three-quarter and yes he can mile, but seven-eighths is ideal for him.” Asmussen said he loves being part of the burgeoning rivalry that currently exists between Gunite and Elite Power. “Elite power a great champion,” Asmussen said. “You do the preparation, you’re aware of who they are, you see them all the time, you have nothing but respect for them and you have to rise to the occasion to beat them. And what a better day to do it than on Travers day.” Asmussen said Gunite would likely have another race before yet another much anticipated battle with Elite Power in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. “He [Gunite] likes racing, he’s not a flashy trainer. I believe he’ll need another race,” said Asmussen. Mott offered little excuse for Elite Power in defeat. “I’ve seen Elite Power maybe run a little better before but I can’t give any big excuse,” Mott said. “We gave the winner six pounds, but I don’t know if that’s enough to use as an excuse.” Mott was also pleased with the performance of High Oak, who finished another four lengths further behind stable mate Elite Power. “The fact he was third, that was a great effort for him,” Mott said. “It was a short field, Lee [owner Lee Einsidler] wanted to take a chance and he justified being in there.” :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.