Get Stormy gets up by a nose

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Before the was run at Churchill Downs, trainer Tom Bush said he didn't think the extra half-furlong would hinder the chances of his stable star, Get Stormy.

Bush was right - barely.

Holding on by an inch or two, Get Stormy outlasted a torrid rush by Street Move to post his fourth straight victory in the $112,100 Commonwealth. Javier Castellano was aboard Get Stormy for Bush and owner Sullimar Stable.

Get Stormy returned $5.80 as the favorite in a field of 10 3-year-olds, finishing 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.67 over firm turf. The Stormy Atlantic colt was coming off three straight wins at a mile on turf.

Get Stormy set all the pace, with Major Marvel, Florentino, and Proceed Bee giving closest chase. Turning for home, Get Stormy sped clear to open a sizable lead in midstretch, then was kept to a fierce drive to prevail by a nose over a streaking Street Move, ridden by Joe Bravo. Grizzled Robert was third, another three lengths back, while Proceed Bee, the 7-2 second choice, faded to fifth.

"He was very sharp today and felt great," said Castellano, who won two earlier races on the 10-race card. "When I asked him to take off for home, he responded very well and opened up for me."

Bravo said: "If it was a mile and a sixteenth and a jump, he gets all of it today."

Get Stormy, based in New York, now has won 5 of 12 career starts. Bush was here earlier in the week but watched the race from his home base.

Get Stormy was part of a pick six that paid $8,674 for $2. The winning numbers were 5-13-3-7-1-9.