Storm the Hill makes Wilshire first graded stakes win

ARCADIA, Calif. - Storm the Hill started at Santa Anita for the first time since October in Sunday’s Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at Santa Anita. She resumed her California career in the manner in which she left – running well in stakes.

Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, Storm the Hill ($21) won her first graded stakes in the $101,380 Wilshire Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf. Last fall, she won the Unzip Me Stakes and was third in the Grade 3 Autumn Miss Stakes in consecutive starts when trained by Peter Miller.

Storm the Hill had five starts for trainer Eddie Kenneally in Florida and Kentucky in December and earlier this year before joining trainer Phil D’Amato’s stable last month.

“She trained like a good horse,” D’Amato said. “She came to me in great shape.”

The Wilshire Stakes was the feature on the final day of the spring-summer meeting. Los Alamitos opens its summer meet on Thursday.

Storm the Hill closed from sixth in a field of nine to win the Wilshire Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths over the D’Amato-trained Ancient Secret, the 5-2 favorite. Storm the Hill benefited from a quick pace of 22.82 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.94 for the first half-mile set by 12-1 Miss Julia Star.

Bejarano moved Storm the Hill into contention with a three-wide move on the turn before taking the lead in the final furlong. Storm the Hill was timed in 1:33.77 and earned a career-best Beyer speed figure of 94.

“She showed me a good kick in the stretch,” Bejarano said. “I was very comfortable.”

D’Amato said the fast pace was a boost for Storm the Hill.

“They were going really fast early,” he said. “I think being farther off the fast pace helped her to come on strong.”

Cordiality, the winner of the Fran’s Valentine Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares on May 19, finished third in her graded stakes debut.

Beau Recall finished fourth, followed by Sassy Little Lita, Sophie P, Miss Julia Star, Bella Luma, and Shehastheritestuff. Sophie P won the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes last month.

Storm the Hill, a 4-year-old filly by Get Stormy, races for Alastar Thoroughbred Company and Michael Valdes and was purchased for $275,000 at the Keeneland November Sale last year, leading to the stable switch. Storm the Hill has won 4 of 20 starts and earned $250,485.