All Hail Stormy to try a route

MIAMI - All Hail Stormy has competed exclusively at five furlongs since switching to the barn of trainer Phil Gleaves for the 2007 campaign and has been a sprint specialist through his career. But after watching the veteran gelding encounter trouble in several of his races here this season, Gleaves will switch tactics and stretch All Hail Stormy out around two turns for the first time in Monday's $26,000 optional claiming feature at Calder, to be decided at one mile on the turf.

A son of Stormy Atlantic, All Hail Stormy has never raced beyond seven furlongs and has made only 3 of his 35 starts at distances longer than six furlongs. He is easily the winningest and richest member of the field for Monday's main event, with 8 victories and earnings of nearly $290,000 on his resume.

All Hail Stormy has captured 1 of 6 tries in 2007, his lone tally coming in a race similar to Monday's but at five furlongs here on June 24. In three of his subsequent four outings, however, All Hail Stormy encountered traffic trouble which compromised his best chance.

All Hail Stormy will also race without blinkers for the first time since his 3-year-old campaign and with a new rider, Manoel Cruz.

Go Directlyto Jail, idle since finishing fifth as the 3-2 favorite under tougher optional claiming conditions at Tampa Bay Downs on March 10, returns under a $16,000 claiming price for leading trainer Kirk Ziadie. Stakes-placed here in 2005, Go Directlyto Jail shows five works since returning to serious training in August.

Saratoga Matt, a lightly raced but improving 3-year-old, steps up in company off his best effort to date, a 3 3/4-length maiden special weight win on the turf. He is among the key contenders, along with Minidrop, who is returning to the grass off a sharp second-place finish against high-priced conditioned claiming opposition over the main track on Aug. 31.

Jet Propulsion headed to Belmont again

Jet Propulsion, easy winner of the Carterista Handicap here this month, will ship to Belmont Park this week to compete in Saturday's Grade 2, $250,000 Kelso Mile

Jet Propulsion, whose most important victory came here in April when he upset the Grade 3 Miami Mile Breeders' Cup Handicap, will be traveling to New York for the second time, having run fourth after setting the pace in the Grade 3 Poker Handicap at Belmont on July 14.