Uni, Got Stormy could see rematch next year

ARCADIA, Calif. – The mare and filly who finished one-two Saturday in the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile, Uni and Got Stormy, could meet again in 2020.

After Uni had won the mile with a scintillating finish, Sol Kumin, part of Uni’s ownership group, said the 5-year-old mare would campaign again next season. And on Sunday morning, Got Stormy was taken out of a horse auction this week in Kentucky to focus on the continuation of her racing career for owner Gary Barber and trainer Mark Casse.

While trainer Chad Brown said he’d prefer not to start Uni again until next year, Casse said Sunday morning that Got Stormy could be considered for the Matriarch Stakes in December at Del Mar. In the nearer term, Got Stormy is headed back to Casse Farm in Ocala, Fla., while her connections formulate a plan. Got Stormy also will be considered for a trip to Dubai, where she could cut back in distance to start in the Al Quoz Sprint over a straight six furlongs.

Uni, who won the Mile by 1 1/2 lengths, got a 106 Beyer for her performance; Got Stormy got a 104.

Without Parole, making his first start for Brown, first in North America, and first since May, turned in an excellent performance under the circumstances to nip Circus Maximus for third in the Mile. Without Parole is aimed at the Pegasus World Cup Turf but whether he has a prep for that race or runs fresh is yet to be determined.

Circus Maximus didn’t love the high-powered, high-speed nature of the Mile, jockey Ryan Moore suggested after the race. The Mile on paper lacked much early speed but El Tormenta and Hey Gaman, who finished midpack and a nose apart, tore off at a breakneck clip and ran a sub-46 second half-mile. Circus Maximus looked more comfortable in slower-paced European races and is expected to campaign there again next year as a 4-year-old.