Storm Fighter tops field for Californian

Storm Fighter will be the colt to catch in Saturday’s $200,000 Californian Stakes, a race that could lead to an appearance in the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 28.

Trained by Bruce Headley for Golden Eagle Farm, the 4-year-old Storm Fighter is in outstanding form, having won his last two starts over a mile – an optional claimer on April 5 and the Tiznow Stakes for California-breds on April 26.

The Grade 2 Californian will be the first start over 1 1/8 miles for Storm Fighter since a sixth-place finish behind Goldencents in the Santa Anita Derby in April 2013. Storm Fighter did not start again in 2013.

“His body said he can go that far,” Headley said, praising the colt’s physical appearance. ”He’s got speed but he can lay second or third.”

The Californian field is led by Fury Kapcori, the easy winner of the Grade 3 Precisionist Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on May 3. Other projected starters are Clubhouse Ride, Fly Lexis Fly, Handsome Mike, Majestic City, Majestic Harbor, and Sky Kingdom.

Fly Lexis Fly has not raced since finishing third in the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes last July and is in need of action, trainer Peter Miller said.

“I think he’s a little short and he’ll need a race, but if I want to run in the Gold Cup I need to run,” Miller said.

Headley is already having an excellent week, having won the Los Angeles Stakes with Cyclometer. He said the 6-year-old Cyclometer is a candidate for the $300,000 Triple Bend Stakes over seven furlongs on June 28.

Intriguing first-time starter

Lucky Logan has bloodlines that command attention this spring.

The California-bred Lucky Logan is by Lucky Pulpit, the same stallion as Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner California Chrome.

Friday, Lucky Logan makes his career debut in a maiden race over 4 1/2 furlongs for owners Joe Navarro and Rockingham Ranch. The colt has already had an eventful month.

Lucky Logan went through the ring at the Barretts May sale of 2-year-olds in training on May 12, but was bought back for $150,000. Lucky Logan has been based with Miller at San Luis Rey Downs in recent months, showing quick works.

“I know how fit the horse is,” Miller said. “He should run well.”

The maiden race drew a maximum field of eight. Trainer Dan Hendricks starts Big Swag, a gelding by The Pamplemousse who worked a quick three furlongs in 35.60 seconds on Monday.

Hendricks had a sharp 2-year-old winner on May 23 with Story to Tell, by Bluegrass Cat. Story to Tell won his debut by 1 1/4 lengths without being fully extended.

“I didn’t think he could do it that easily,” Hendricks said. “It was a pleasant surprise.”

Story to Tell will be pointed for the $125,000 Santa Anita Juvenile over 5 1/2 furlongs on June 22.