Gorham pair tough in Wolverine

Leading trainer Robert Gorham holds a hot hand in the $50,000 Wolverine Stakes at Pinnacle Race Course. The six-furlong race drew a field of 10 Michigan-bred runners, 3 years old and older. It will go as the ninth race on the 2:30 p.m. card.

Gorham will saddle Meadow Wise and Weatherstorm, both winners at the meet, as well as Bishop Casey. Meadow Wise ran a sharp race here on June 20, drawing off by nearly five lengths in an optional $50,000 race as the favorite. He escaped the claim box because of a paperwork error. Last year as a 3-year-old he won the Dowling Stakes and was second in three other Michigan stakes races for owner Henry Mast. Weatherstorm, a past state champion, overcame trouble to win his last out, a $10,000 affair at Pinnacle, for owner Marion Gorham. Co-leading jockey Jeffrey Skerrett rode both Meadow Wise and Weatherstorm in their last start and has opted for Meadow Wise in the Wolverine. Tommy Molina will handle the riding chores on Weatherstorm.

Romeo Again, last year's Michigan Sire Stakes 3-year-old winner, has traded punches with Meadow Wise and ran third to him on June 20. Romeo Again will carry the silks of Pinnacle president Felicia Allen and partner II B's Thoroughbreds. Jockey Federico Mata, who shares the riding lead with Skerrett and J. J. Delgado, will ride Romeo Again for trainer Patrick White.

Trainer Greg Foley will ship in Speak of Kings, who has a win and a second in recent $16,000 claimers at Indiana Downs and Churchill Downs. An 8-year-old gelding, he has hit the board in 39 of 61 starts. Delgado will ride Speak of Kings.

Multiple stakes winner Meadow Vespers, known for his closing abilities, has won 4 of 11 starts at the distance and was third in the last two Wolverines. Trainer Richard Rettele has again named Ricardo Barrios to handle Meadow Vespers.