Midnight Storm using Awesome Again as stepping-stone to Breeders' Cup

Midnight Storm is likely to run in a one-mile race during the Breeders’ Cup on Nov. 3-4 at Del Mar. A start in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on dirt Sept. 30 at Santa Anita could determine whether the BC Dirt Mile or BC Mile on turf is chosen for the seven-time stakes winner.

Midnight Storm, fourth in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf Aug. 20, is a multiple graded winner on turf and won the Grade 3 Native Diver on the main track at Del Mar last November and the Grade 2 San Pasqual on the main track at Santa Anita in January. Trainer Phil D’Amato said Midnight Storm has been working well on dirt and was particularly encouraged by a six-furlong workout in 1:13 on Monday.

“His last breeze was a very good one,” he said. “Maybe this could be a stepping-stone for the Dirt Mile or the Mile. He’s trained so good on this main track.”

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The BC Dirt Mile is run Nov. 3. The BC Mile is run the following day. Last year, Midnight Storm was third in the BC Mile after leading at the eighth pole.

The winner of the $300,000 Awesome Again receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic at 1 1/4 miles on dirt Nov. 4, but D’Amato said the one-mile Breeders’ Cup races have greater appeal for Midnight Storm. Earlier this year, Midnight Storm was beaten in two races at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita, finishing second in the Santa Anita Handicap in March and fourth, beaten six lengths, in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita in May.

Owned by Alex Venneri and Little Red Feather Racing, the 6-year-old Midnight Storm has won 10 of 25 starts and earned $1,723,110.