Just Stormin returns from layoff in Gold Cup

Just Stormin has won four of his last six starts and will attempt to stay hot off a layoff Saturday night when he makes his first start since May in the $100,000 Gold Cup at Delta Downs.

The race, which will be run at a mile, is for 3-year-olds and up bred in Louisiana.

Just Stormin is part of a 10-horse field that drew eight stakes winners, including Sir Genghis, Mageez, and Budro Talking.

KEY CONTENDERS

Just Stormin, by Freud
Last 3 Beyers: 76-81-76

◗ He won the $50,000 Louisiana Legends Starter at Evangeline Downs in his most recent out May 25. Following the race he was given a freshening, said trainer Allen Landry.

“We gave him a little break because of the time of the year – he’s not really a summertime horse,” Landry said. “And he’d run hard for us. We gave him a little break to fresh him up and get him ready for this race.

“I wish we could have had a race under him. We ran out of time.”

◗ Just Stormin’s run of good form dates back to Nov. 9. He captured a $10,000 claiming race that night at Delta and was taken by Craig Drago, who sent the horse to Landry. Just Stormin then won the $65,000 B-Connected at Delta Dec. 29, and added a win in the $60,000 Louisiana Premier Night Gentleman Starter at the same track on Feb. 9. Following losses to multiple stakes winners Mocito Rojo and Underpressure, Just Stormin was back in the win column in May.

“He’s been a good one for us since we claimed him,” said Landry, adding it was Drago who picked out Just Stormin.

In his five starts for Drago, the horse has earned $120,750.

◗ Just Stormin is returning to Delta, where he is 5 for 16. Overall, the 7-year-old is 10 for 50.

“He loves this racetrack,” said Landry.

◗ Just Stormin will break from post 9 under regular rider Kerwin Clark.

“He’s definitely good on the front end, but he doesn’t have to be there,” said Landry.

Sir Genghis, by Tale of the Cat
Last 3 Beyers: 80-86-91

◗ He won last year’s Gold Cup by a half-length over Mageez. This year’s running marks his first out since Nov. 16.

◗ The last time Sir Genghis returned from a layoff he was second to Monte Manin the 2018 Louisiana Legends Sprint at Evangeline Downs. The race was his first in six months.

Mageez, by Musket Man
Last 3 Beyers: 82-82-78

◗ He moves back into the Louisiana-bred ranks off a fifth-place finish in the $100,000 Evangeline Downs Mile on June 22. The winner, Mocito Rojo, and the third-place finisher, Pioneer Spirit, both returned in their next start to win a stakes race.