Hollywood Park: Teddy’s Promise, Turbulent Descent in collision course for Desert Stormer

The Grade 1 winners Teddy’s Promise and Turbulent Descent are on course for the $70,000 Desert Stormer Handicap on June 17 at Hollywood Park.

Teddy’s Promise, the winner of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita last December, won the minor Time To Leave Stakes over five furlongs at Hollywood Park on May 6, her first start since January.

Turbulent Descent, the winner of the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga last summer, has not started since finishing sixth in the La Brea Stakes.

“It will be quite a race,” said Ron Ellis, who trains Teddy’s Promise.

The Desert Stormer is a prep for the $200,000 A Gleam Handicap over seven furlongs on July 14.

Teddy’s Promise, fifth in the Grade 1 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita in January, closed from last in a field of six fillies and mares under jockey Victor Espinoza to win the Time To Leave Stakes by a half-length over Rumor. For Teddy’s Promise, the closing style was a change from her previous races, when she raced near the front.

“I like the way she came from behind,” Ellis said. “I said to Victor, ‘Get her to relax as much as you can.’ ”

Turbulent Descent was turned out following her loss in the La Brea Stakes. Trainer Mike Puype has had the Desert Stormer in mind for a comeback race for several months. He acknowledged that Teddy’s Promise will test Turbulent Descent.

“Ron Ellis’s filly ran great the other day,” Puype said earlier this week. “She’ll make good competition for her.”

Ellis has a top contender in Saturday’s $150,000 Marjorie Everett Handicap in Include Me Out, the winner of the Grade 1 Santa Margarita Invitational at Santa Anita in March.

The Everett, formerly known as the Milady Handicap, is also expected to draw the multiple stakes winner Zazu.