Power Of A Moment splashes to win

Although a heavy downpour turned the track into a sea of mud, the rain could not dampen the spirits of conditioner Ervin Miller as his trainee’s, Power Of A Moment and Iam Bonasera, finished first and second with Power Of  A Moment capturing the $56,700 Cardinal Stake Final by a half-length in 1:51.1 over a sloppy track.

Zipped right to the front from post position seven by driver Marcus Miller Power Of A Moment, last year’s Horse of the Year in Illinois, led the field through an opening quarter in 27.2.

“I decided to send him out of there tonight because I didn’t want Delco Willobee (John DeLong) to get a big jump on us,” Miller explained. “I was afraid that if we wound up with too many horses between us I wouldn’t be able to make up the deficit.”

Splashing along comfortably on the front end the son of Cole Muffler-Panfastic hit the halfway mark in 55.4.

Pacing around the far turn a first over Delco Willobee quickly came calling, drawing to within a half-length of the pacesetter. Iam Bonasera (Dave Magee) was also looming large while racing second over as the field hit the three-quarter-mile mark in 1:24.0.

“Even though John’s horse was moving right up alongside of us I still wasn’t really that worried,” said a smiling Miller. “My horse just swells right up when somebody gets alongside of him and that’s exactly what he did again tonight.”

Showing the grit and determination that had netted him 13 wins in 16 career starts coming into Saturday’s affair, Power Of A Moment gamely fought off the challenge from Delco Willobee and then held firm as stablemate Iam Bonasera made one final charge in the closing yards to nab the place check. Delco Willobee was third, two lengths behind the winner.

Now a perfect two for two as a sophomore Power Of A Moment currently boasts career earnings of $323,450 for the partnership of Leland Mathias, Bert Hochsprung and the Ervin Miller Stable.

Despite coming in as the reigning champ in the division Power Of A Moment was dispatched as the third choice the wagering returning $8.40, $3.80 & $2.40. (Balmoral)