Storm Fighter won't get lead easily in Bertrando Stakes
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CYPRESS, Calif. – The fifth-place finish by Storm Fighter in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita in May has looked a lot better in the last week.
Though beaten four lengths, two horses in front of Storm Fighter that day ran first and second in the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita last weekend – Majestic Harbor and Clubhouse Ride.
Keeping that sort of company leaves Storm Fighter the favorite in Thursday’s $100,000 Bertrando Stakes at Los Alamitos. The Bertrando Stakes, run over a mile for California-breds, is the top race on the first day of the track’s two-week summer Thoroughbred meeting.
Los Alamitos gained two weeks of summer Thoroughbred racing after the closure of Hollywood Park last year. Los Alamitos also will run brief race meetings in September and December.
The Bertrando Stakes is a new addition on the Southern California Thoroughbred calendar and has drawn a field of 10. Storm Fighter is the only 2014 stakes winner in the field, having won the $125,000 Tiznow Stakes at Santa Anita in April.
The front-running tactics Storm Fighter used in that race are likely to come into play in the Bertrando. Edwin Maldonado has the mount on Storm Fighter for owner and breeder Golden Eagle Farm and trainer Bruce Headley.
Storm Fighter’s speed is his best asset, according to Karen Headley, assistant trainer to her father.
“They will have to match his stride,” Headley said. “He’s huge, and he uses it well. A mile is perfect for him. He never gets tired in the mornings.”
On Tuesday, Storm Fighter worked a half-mile at Santa Anita in 46.40 seconds for the Bertrando Stakes. The Bertrando Stakes will be Storm Fighter’s third start at a mile this year. He won an optional claimer in early April.
The loss in the Californian Stakes over 1 1/8 miles surprised Karen Headley. “I thought he could go forever,” she said.
Storm Fighter breaks from post 9. With a short run to the first turn, Maldonado might need to urge the 4-year-old colt to gain position.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 9 Storm Fighter. Trainer Bruce Headley is 3 for 6 with a $4.23 ROI the past two years with horses in dirt routes coming into the race with the top Beyer Speed Figure.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Storm Fighter could be joined on the lead by Spirit Rules, a sprinter who drew the rail, or Soi Phet, who breaks from post 2.
Trained by Leonard Powell, Soi Phet won a starter handicap for horses who had run in $12,500 claimers in the past, going a mile on turf at Santa Anita on June 8 and leading throughout. Last fall, Soi Phet was third to eventual Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Mucho Macho Man in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita. Soi Phet was claimed for $16,000 by Powell for a partnership in May 2013.
Powell said Soi Phet might engage Storm Fighter.
“I’m not going to take back,” Powell said. “I’ll let him break and see where he’s at.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 2 Soi Phet. Trainer Leonard Powell has not had a winner in the past five years (0 for 5 with 2 in the money) with runners going turf to dirt in races with purses more than $40,000.Click for more details. – Mike Hogan