Mandella brings one-two punch into Stormy Liberal Stakes

Del Mar filled a California void in 2014 when it added a fall race meet following the 2013 closure of Hollywood Park. The move to Del Mar turned out to be a hit.

The late-season vibe is relaxed, the weather usually cooperative, and turf racing first-rate. But missing from the Del Mar autumn slate was a turf sprint stakes, and, thankfully, the shortfall will be filled Saturday by the inaugural running of the Stormy Liberal Stakes.

The five-furlong, $100,000 Stormy Liberal, race 5, is the first unrestricted turf sprint stake in Southern California since the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes on Oct. 1 at Santa Anita, and a timely segue to the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez on Dec. 31 at Santa Anita.

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The new stakes, named for two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Stormy Liberal, is a welcome add.

“Basically, it was to fill a void,” Del Mar racing secretary David Jerkens said. “As horses have gravitated to the turf even more, we were lacking a turf sprint. We felt it was an addition that would be well supported.”

Indeed, 10 of the 12 nominees to the Stormy Liberal entered, including two trained by Richard Mandella – top contender Lane Way and Sumter. Whatmakessammyrun, a last-out Grade 2 winner, will rally in a prep for the $250,000 Joe Hernandez. Others entered include late-runner Coulthard and speedster Turn On The Jets.

Lane Way’s improvement coincides with the ultimate equipment change. A 5-year-old by Into Mischief, Lane Way was gelded in spring 2021. Five starts since include runner-up finishes in two graded turf sprints, two allowance wins, and an allowance runner-up.

“I think he was just kind of immature, and he got better and stronger,” Mandella said. “I’d stretch him out if I had the right race, and I wouldn’t rule out dirt, either.”

Lane Way will rally with jockey Mike Smith; stakes-winning miler Sumter and Flavien Prat employ an opposite style.

“He’ll jump out of there and be right on the pace, “ Mandella said. Lane Way “will probably sit back and make a run. Nice combination to have.”

While a contested pace would compromise front-runners, it would flatter Lane Way and his chief rivals – late-runners Whatmakessammyrun and Coulthard.

At a longer distance, Whatmakessammyrun probably would mow them down. But five furlongs is not his trip.

“It’s not impossible for him to catch up going five-eighths, under an optimal situation,” trainer Mark Glatt said. “But our key race in the short term is New Year’s Eve, the Joe Hernandez, 250 coming down the hill.”

Whatmakessammyrun is 3 for 3 at Santa Anita, 0 for 3 at Del Mar, and is using the Stormy Liberal as a prep under Joe Bravo.

Coulthard, who runs well fresh and has won going five furlongs at Del Mar, will fly late under Ramon Vazquez. Coulthard is trained by Phil D’Amato, who also entered pace-pressing contender Turn On The Jets. His rider is meet leader Juan Hernandez.

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