FORECAST IS STORMY FOR TURF SPRINT AT KENTUCKY DOWNS
Forecasting the weather is no doubt a hit or miss proposition. It can kind of be like handicapping the horse races. Both of these prognostications might just come together on September 7. The prediction for Kentucky Downs that day is going to be Stormy for sure.
The turf sprint races can often times be some of the most exciting runs in the Thoroughbred game. A mad dash for the cash usually results in some close finishes. The fields are normally large and the array of participant is such that front runners and closers collide in an epic race to the wire. The 2019 Kentucky Downs Runhappy Turf Sprint has a chance to be one of those races thanks in part to the entry of two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint champ Stormy Liberal.
Based on the West coast, this Peter Miller trained son of Stormy Atlantic has found a way to do his best running under the guidance of his current coach. Understanding his horse and what makes him tick, Miller has cleverly campaigned the now seven year old Stormy to heights no one expected. In 2017, Miller took a freshened runner into his back yard at Del Mar and pulled off a huge upset at in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at 30 to 1. Last year, a seasoned Stormy rode a three race winning streak into the Cup and repeated at Churchill Downs.
The calendar has turned to 2019 and Miller is back to the game planning. Winless thus far, Stormy has been right there in all four starts. Two second place finishes at Santa Anita to begin the year were followed by third place finishes in Dubai and at Del Mar. With eyes on a threepeat, Miller is taking his charge to one of his new-found favorite places to prep for a big run in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita on November 2.
“We love Kentucky Downs and I think it is a really neat place,” says Miller, who has won multiple training titles on the West c.oast. “It’s a cool place to be and we have enjoyed an expanded presence in Kentucky. It’s great to see a win and you’re in race at a place like Kentucky Downs and we are excited to run there. I think it can present a great opportunity to get Stormy Liberal in good form for what we hope can be a big run in the Breeders’ Cup.”
The automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint is icing on a cake that was already worth $700,000. Obviously the surroundings are attracting a horseman like Miller so there will be many talented others wanting to enter the starting gates as well. With a full field expected, the lineup facing Stormy may be quite thunderous. And that is a pretty solid forecast.
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