Midnight Storm faces three serious challengers in Del Mar Mile
DEL MAR, Calif. – Even though California’s top turf miler is a terror on the Del Mar grass, three others have good reason to challenge Midnight Storm on Sunday in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap.
Om has targeted the $200,000 turf race for months, Ohio shortens up to his preferred one-mile distance, and the sharp California-bred Ambitious Brew is feeling so good it would be criminal to keep him in the barn.
Five entered the Del Mar Mile; Midnight Storm is the 4-5 favorite over a course on which he is 4 for 5 for trainer Phil D’Amato. Midnight Storm won the Grade 2 Eddie Read last out.
Midnight Storm already has earned a Breeders’ Cup Mile berth by winning the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile, while his rivals Sunday are still trying to get to the Breeders’ Cup.
Om, a three-time graded stakes winner, returns from a five-month layoff necessitated by a foot issue.
“An abscess in his foot is the best way to describe it,” trainer Dan Hendricks said. “We figured we could give him a break and be ready for this race.”
Expectations for his first start back? “I’m just hoping he runs a real strong race and comes out good so I can go on to the next two,” Hendricks said, referring to a pair of one-mile turf stakes at Santa Anita – the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile on Oct. 8 and the BC Mile on Nov. 5.
Ohio finished eighth in the Read while compromised by circumstances. Trainer Paulo Lobo said, “He was kind of rank, and I think a mile and one-eighth was too far for him. It wasn’t his day. I think the most he can go is a mile.”
Since arriving from South America, Ohio has raced four times. His best races were his two starts at a mile on turf, both allowance wins.
Ambitious Brew finished second last month in a California-bred stakes and might have stayed in lesser races.
“This race was never on our radar,” trainer Marty Jones said. “But he worked so good and is doing so good right now that he sort of forced our hand.”
Del Mar Mile, Race 4
KEY CONTENDERS
Midnight Storm, by Pioneerof the Nile
Last 3 Beyers: 104-110-92
◗ The front-running Read victory by Midnight Storm last out was noteworthy because speed did not carry early in the meet. The second- and third-place finishers were Ashleyluvssugar and Flamboyant, entered Saturday in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap. Rafael Bejarano rides Midnight Storm, the expected pacesetter.
Ambitious Brew, by Tizbud
Last 3 Beyers: 94-94-98
◗ In career-best form at age 6, he could shorten up to turf sprints this fall at Santa Anita – the Grade 3 Eddie D. Stakes on Sept. 30 and the BC Turf Sprint on Nov. 5.
◗ Ambitious Brew, whose rider is Flavien Prat, worked a half-mile in 46 seconds on Aug. 14 at Los Alamitos. Jones then opted to run in the Del Mar Mile.
Om, by Munnings
Last 3 Beyers: 72-100-100
◗ His three graded wins were against 3-year-olds – the Del Mar Derby, Twilight Derby, and Mathis Brothers Mile. Gary Stevens rides.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Om. Winless in two starts as a 4-year-old. His win last December in the Mathis Brothers Mile has had eight horses run since for a combined record of 27-1-4-6. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Ohio, by Elusive Quality
Last 3 Beyers: 94-99-41
◗ A six-time winner from 11 starts, he was unplaced both times he tried graded stakes.