Gulfstream Park: Storming Inti scores in off-the-turf Pulpit Stakes

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Storming Inti figured to have his chances compromised in Saturday’s $100,000 Pulpit Stakes after early afternoon rains forced Gulfstream Park management to move the race from the turf to a sloppy main track. But the surface change proved no obstacle for the once-beaten Storming Inti, who contested all the pace before holding off a determined Notyouraveragejoe to register a well-deserved one-length victory in the one-mile Pulpit.

Storming Inti, a 2-year-old son of Stormy Atlantic, had made all three previous starts on turf, winning twice after finishing third in his career debut this summer at Saratoga. Storming Inti broke alertly and somewhat surprisingly dragged jockey Alan Garcia to the lead, battled on the front end with Notyouraveragejoe nearly the entire trip, and then dug in bravely to ultimately edge clear at the wire.

Yes I’m Lucky stalked the leaders from the rail, eased off the top pair on the far turn, angled wide for the drive, but lacked the necessary late response, finishing another 2 1/2 lengths further back in third.

Bon Accord, who had finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in his last start, was scratched earlier in the day, well prior to the Pulpit being taken off the grass.

Storming Inti completed the distance in 1:39.05 and paid $5.

“The horse ran great,” trainer Chad Brown said by phone from New York. “He’s a better horse on turf, but fortunately it all worked out. I was a little surprised to see him on the lead like that, but it probably worked out for the best because it kept the slop out of his face.”

Brown said he had nothing picked out for Storming Inti’s next start.