Satellite Storm wins third straight and first stakes in Mystic Lake Turf Sprint

It’s fair to say Satellite Storm has found a home on turf.

After winning four of his first 24 starts, all on dirt, and looking like no more than a lower mid-level claimer in so doing, Satellite Storm ran his turf record to 3 for 3 when he stormed to a 2 3/4-length victory in the $50,000 Mystic Lake Turf Sprint on Saturday night at Canterbury Park.

Trainer Valorie Lund claimed Satellite Storm for $12,500 April 3 at Turf Paradise for owners Grace and Gamblers Inc. and, following two dirt losses for his new connections, Satellite Storm tried a grass race for the first time on June 29 at Canterbury. He won that start by more than four lengths racing for a $15,000 tag and scored by a similar margin bumped in class next out to an open allowance race.

Stakes competition on Saturday provided no meaningful impediment, either. Satellite Storm appears to be all speed and went straight to the front from his outside post under Leandro Goncalves. Off splits of 21.98 and 44.18 seconds he ran five furlongs over a fast course in 55.43, missing the course record by .05 seconds, while posting a 2 3/4-length tally over Win Lion Win. The mare Luvin Bullies finished third.

Satellite Storm ($5.20) is by Coast Guard out of Kula Girl, by Hesabull. He carries his head somewhat high while running but travels very fast, at least over fast turf, and regardless of what comes next has proved a fruitful claim.

:: Get PPs, Clocker Reports, picks, and more from DRF's Saratoga/Del Mar One-Stop Shop

Giant Payday alone at Brooks Fields finish

Giant Payday ended a 13-race losing streak dating to the Mystic Lake Derby in August 2017 when he captured the $50,000 Brooks Fields Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths over pacesetting Majestic Pride.

Giant Payday campaigns for prominent local owner Bob Lothenbach and was based with Ian Wilkes when he won the Mystic Lake Derby. He moved into the Canterbury barn of trainer Joel Berndt this season and after knocking on the door in three starts this meeting stepped decisively over the threshold Saturday under jockey Leandro Goncalves.

Majestic Pride, long a high-level Canterbury turf-course performer, set a steady pace the first half-mile before jockey Dean Butler tried to blow open the race around the far turn with a 22.81-second quarter-mile, but Giant Payday, coming from midpack, jumped on him past the furlong grounds and pulled clear in the final 50 yards. Favored Nobrag Justfact finished third at odds of 7-5 as Giant Payday clocked one mile on firm turf in 1:34.85.

The winner is by Giant’s Causeway out of Pension, by Seeking the Gold.

Beach Flower battles to H.B.P.A Distaff win

Beach Flower didn’t get all the way back to her performance level winning the $100,000 Lady Canterbury Stakes but did just enough to get the money in the $50,000 Minnesota H.B.P.A Distaff.

Headed at the stretch call by Lady Joanne, Beach Flower surged again in deep stretch and got up by a head under Dean Butler. Lady Joanne was 1 1/4 lengths better than Tiz Little Bull in a field reduced to five fillies and mares following scratches of Chance to Shine and Molecules.

Beach Flower, trained by Mac Robertson for Hugh Robertson, John Mentz, and Jeff Larson, won for the ninth time in 37 starts running one mile on firm turf in 1:35.68 and paying $4.40 as the favorite. The 6-year-old mare is by Flower Alley out of Hogan Beach, by Harlan’s Holiday.