Aqueduct: Stormy’s Majesty takes advantage of strong start in Mr. G.J.G. Stakes

A poor start cost compromised Stormy’s Majesty when he finished fifth in the Alex M. Robb six weeks ago. A sharp start was the key to victory for Stormy’s Majesty in Sunday’s $75,000 Mr. G.J.G. Stakes for New York-breds at Aqueduct.

Hustled to the front by C.C. Lopez out of the gate, Stormy’s Majesty made the lead entering the first turn and was able to keep on going, holding off a late bid from 4-5 favorite Inherit the Gold to win the Mr. G.J.G. by half-length. Inherit the Gold, three to four wide throughout under Eddie Castro, settled for second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Star of New York. Uncle T Seven, Spa City Fever, and Groomedforvictory completed the order of finish. Icabad Crane scratched.

The win was the seventh from 15 starts for Stormy’s Majesty, but first since he won the Noble Nashua run at Aqueduct on April 22. He was way from the races for five months due to foot issues. When he returned in the Robb, Stormy’s Majesty stumbled at the start, stepped on himself, known as a grabbed quarter, and found himself behind horses early.

Sunday, under Lopez, Stormy’s Majesty got to the front while running an opening quarter in 23.84 seconds and a half-mile in 47.45, with Groomedforvictory applying some pressure. Around the far turn, Stormy’s Majesty eased away from Groomedforvictory, opened up a clear advantage in upper stretch, and had enough to hold off Inherit the Gold, the 4-5 favorite.

Stormy’s Majesty covered the mile and 70 yards in 1:42.92 and returned $12.80.

“Last time, he ran he stumbled badly at the start and lost all chance,” trainer Dominic Galluscio said. “He likes to run free. Today, we got out well. . . . When I saw the second quarter [47.45 seconds] I was okay with that. [Stormy’s Majesty] is a game horse. Inherit the Gold is a good horse, but we had a tactical pace advantage.”

Galluscio said Stormy’s Majesty would likely come back in the $75,000 King’s Point, also for New York-breds, on March 3.