Neptune's Storm gets first stakes win in Singletary

ARCADIA, Calif. – Neptune’s Storm continued his progress among the 3-year-old turf milers in California with his first career stakes win in Sunday’s $100,702 Singletary Stakes at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Neptune’s Storm stalked pacesetter Big Scott Daddy to the turn and held off a late threat from 3-1 Shining Through to win by three-quarters of a length. Sent off favored, Neptune’s Storm ($6.80) was timed in 1:34.33.

“He was very game,” Van Dyke said.

Van Dyke said Neptune’s Storm briefly lost momentum in the stretch but surged when challenged by Jasikan, who eventually finished third by a length.

“I had Big Scott Daddy as a target,” Van Dyke said. “When he passed him, he was waiting on a horse. He rebroke when [Jasikan] came to him. It was fun.”

King of Speed, a two-time stakes winner on turf last summer and fall, finished fourth, followed by Big Scott Daddy, Urban Light, and Rijeka. In the stretch, Urban Light and Rijeka raced in tight quarters at a pivotal time, hindering their chances.

The Singletary Stakes was Neptune’s Storm’s third consecutive win in a one-mile turf race. The gelding won a maiden race at a mile on turf here last November and an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option Feb. 1.

More recently, Neptune’s Storm was second by eight lengths to Stubbins in the Pasadena Stakes at a mile on March 3. The Pasadena Stakes was scheduled for turf but moved to a sealed main track because of wet conditions.

The Pasadena Stakes was Neptune’s Storm’s final start for trainer William Morey. On March 29, Morey had three horses scratched at Santa Anita for a medication violation. The California Horse Racing Board issued a complaint against Morey earlier this month, alleging that a member of Morey’s staff administered a substance containing an alkalizing agent to three horses in the hours before they were scheduled to start on March 29. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday before the Santa Anita stewards.

Morey disbanded his Santa Anita stable in late March and early April, with Neptune’s Storm going to trainer Richard Baltas.

“He came in in good shape from Billy,” Baltas said in the winner’s circle. “He’s big and strong and eats well.”

Neptune’s Storm, by Stormy Atlantic, races for Cybertec International, Saul Gevertz, Lynn Gitomer, Mike Goetz, and Daniel Weiner. Neptune’s Storm has won 3 of 8 starts and earned $159,595.