Neptune's Storm will be tested in La Jolla Handicap

DEL MAR, Calif. – Neptune’s Storm won consecutive stakes for 3-year-olds on turf at Santa Anita in the spring by taking the lead in early stretch under jockey Drayden Van Dyke and prevailing by a length or less.

In the Singletary Stakes at a mile on April 28 and the Cinema Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on June 2, Neptune’s Storm did enough to win.

“I know the rider has a lot of confidence,” trainer Richard Baltas said. “He feels the horse had something left when they came to him. Hopefully, he’s correct.”

Neptune’s Storm will start for the first time in two months in Sunday’s Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar. Neptune’s Storm is the 124-pound topweight and is racing at a prime distance, judging from his recent performances.

This will be a test for Neptune’s Storm with stakes winners such as Jasikan and Stubbins among the leading contenders along with the Baltas-trained Rijeka.

KEY CONTENDERS

Neptune’s Storm, by Stormy Atlantic

Last 3 Beyers: 83-82-69

◗ Neptune’s Storm drew the rail in a field of eight and is likely to be near the front under Van Dyke. Runners such as Stubbins and Kingly may set the pace.

“We have to play the break and watch them go,” Baltas said. “There seems to be a lot of speed.”

◗ Owned by the partnership of CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Lynn Gitomer, Mike Goetz, Michael Nentwig, and Daniel Weiner, Neptune’s Storm joined Baltas’s stable in the spring after William Morey disbanded his stable.

Stubbins, by Morning Line

Last 3 Beyers: 90-83-80

◗ Stubbins has had an unconventional season. He won the $100,000 Pasadena Stakes at a mile on a sealed and sloppy main track by eight lengths over Neptune’s Storm on March 2 at Santa Anita and was sixth of 14 in the $2.5 million United Arab Emirates Derby on dirt in Dubai on March 30.

◗ Stubbins finished a game third behind leading turf sprinter Tribalist in an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option at five furlongs on turf here July 24.

“We were trying to win, but we thought of it as more of a prep for this race,” trainer Doug O’Neill said. “He had a lot of travel for a young horse. He was training well into that comeback race.”

Jasikan, by Bated Breath

Last 3 Beyers: 84-81-80

◗ Jasikan won his first stakes in the Oceanside at a mile on turf here July 17, closing from last of 12 under jockey Flavien Prat to win by a nose. Rijeka finished third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths.

◗ A quick turnaround from the Oceanside to the $150,000 La Jolla is not a concern for trainer John Sadler with Jasikan. He wants to see a quick pace.

“He comes from way back,” Sadler said.

◗ Jasikan is unlikely to start in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf Sept. 1.

“Prat thinks he’s better at a mile or a mile and a sixteenth,” Sadler said. “A mile and an eighth is a little too far right now.”