Neptune's Storm surges in final furlong to take Wickerr Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. - An opening half-mile in 48.19 seconds made Sunday’s $85,500 Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar much easier for pacesetter Neptune’s Storm.

Already well regarded as the favorite, Neptune’s Storm kicked clear in the final furlong under jockey Flavien Prat to win the one-mile race on turf by 1 3/4 lengths over 10-1 Majestic Eagle.

“When I saw the half-mile split, I breathed a sigh of relief,” trainer Peter Miller said. “No excuses.”

Prat said Neptune’s Storm had control of the race through the stretch.

“When I got him to the eighth pole, he really extended,” Prat said. “I felt comfortable.”

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Neptune’s Storm ($4.60) was timed in 1:35.56 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 94. A 5-year-old gelding, Neptune’s Storm ran the opening quarter-mile in 23.33 seconds, also a relatively slow fraction. Neptune’s Storm led by a half-length with a quarter-mile remaining and by two lengths in the stretch.

Majestic Eagle, winless in 14 starts since the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita in 2019, closed from fourth to finish second. Jockey Mario Gutierrez was philosophical about Majestic Eagle’s loss considering the slow pace.

“They were walking in front of me,” he said.

Tiz Plus (16-1) finished third, followed by Border Town, Bob and Jackie, Homer Screen, Next Shares, and Count of Amazonia.

The Wickerr Stakes was restricted to non-winners of a stakes worth $50,000 or more to the winner, other than statebred races, at a mile or over since Sept. 1.

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Neptune’s Storm, by Stormy Atlantic, races for the partnership of Saul Gevertz, Lynn Gitomer, Mike Goetz, Michael Nentwig, and Daniel Weiner.

Neptune’s Storm, who has won 7 of 21 starts and has earned $918,485, joined Miller’s stable earlier this year. The Wickerr Stakes was designed as a prep for the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf on Aug. 21, Miller said.

Neptune’s Storm was second in the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on June 20 in his first start for Miller and first start this year.