Von Hemel calls on Higher Power

Higher Power continued to follow the path blazed by his half-brother, millionaire and

2012 Oaklawn Handicap winner Alternation, overcoming trouble to post a three-quarter length victory in Saturday’s seventh race, a first-level allowance/optional claimer for

3-year-olds at a mile.

Higher Power, by Medaglia d’Oro, races for the same connections as Alternation – Pin Oak Stable (Josephine Abercrombie) and trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel – and has the same resume after three starts.

Both horses debuted sprinting as 2-yearolds at Remington Park and finished third. Both won their next starts at Remington Park in their two-turn debuts. Alternation made his 3-year-old debut in January 2011 at Oaklawn, winning a first-level allowance/optional claimer at a mile by a head.

“It is kind of scary,” Von Hemel said. Von Hemel said Higher Power emerged from his victory in good order and is a candidate for the Grade 3 $500,000 Southwest Stakes on Feb. 19, Oaklawn’s second of four major preps for the Kentucky Derby.

Ridden Saturday by newcomer David Cabrera, Higher Power was boxed in on the first turn, four-wide on the second turn, but was still able to wear down odds-on favorite New York Central on the outside in the short stretch run.

“He did what he needed to do and looked like a seasoned horse,” Von Hemel said. “I was pleased.”

Alternation did not run in the 2011 Southwest, opting for a 1 1/16-mile allowance race for 3- and 4-year-olds that had never won three races.

Von Hemel said he doubts racing secretary Pat Pope will write another race with that condition, one that would serve, perhaps, as a prep for the Grade 2 $900,000 Rebel Stakes March 17 at Oaklawn.

“One race at a time,” Von Hemel said. Higher Power and Alternation, both Pin Oak homebreds, are out of the Seattle Slew mare Alternate.