Get Stormy will have company

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Get Stormy led all the way to win on the Aug. 29 Travers undercard at Saratoga, but a couple of 3-year-olds who finished behind him that day could have a little more help when they reconvene Sunday at Keeneland in the Grade 3 Bryan Station Stakes.

Get Stormy, based in New York with trainer Tom Bush, figures to have more company on the front end in the $125,000 Bryan Station, which, like the Lure, is a one-mile turf race run around two turns. Major Marvel, a Maryland shipper with terrific early speed, is one of the eight 3-year-olds in the lineup, so Michael Matz, trainer of Lure runner-up Mikoshi, is hopeful different circumstances might yield a different result Sunday.

Get Stormy "kind of got a jump on all of us there at Saratoga," said Matz, who will be in from Maryland for the race. "He's a nice horse, but maybe there'll be more speed in there to go with him. If that happens, maybe it's our turn to win one of these."

Mikoshi, owned by Matsumoto Ltd., has been quite consistent since making his first career start on the grass in January at Gulfstream Park. Except for a sixth-place finish in the Transylvania on opening day here in the spring, the Orientate colt has been third or better in six tries.

"He is consistent, he does try, and he's training well," said Matz.

Favorably drawn in post 2 with Jose Lezcano to ride, Mikoshi figures to sit a nice stalking trip before bidding into contention.

Get Stormy will start from post 6 with Javier Castellano back aboard.

Several others in the field appear capable, too, including the other holdover from the Lure, Strike Again (post 7, Julien Leparoux). Trained by Bill Mott, the Dixie Union colt faded to fifth in the Lure, a race that followed back-to-back turf victories.

Rounding out the field are El Crespo, Cedros, and Rescue Squad. Of those, El Crespo may bear closest watching, especially in the final furlong. The late-striding colt exits the 1 3/16-mile Saranac and will be saddled by Rusty Arnold, who is off to a hot start at the fall meet.

The Bryan Station goes as the eighth of nine races. After Sunday, Keeneland goes dark for two days before action resumes Wednesday.