Stormin Gold gets pace for late run

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Even though there is not a stakes at Fair Grounds at Louisiana Downs on Sunday, the card does not lack for quality thanks to a pair of high-dollar optional claiming affairs.

The eighth race on the card is for horses who have either not won three races "other than" or are entered for a $62,500 claiming price. A one-mile turf race, it has brought together a solid group of eight fillies and mares running for a $41,000 purse. The field is divided equally between established turf mares entered for the claiming price and younger fillies who are attempting to complete their conditions before moving on to bigger and better things.

One of the young guns is Stormin Gold. A late-running 3-year-old trained by Ralph Irwin, Stormin Gold finished second in the Remington Oaks in October behind the talented More Than Promised, who won her third straight stakes in the Pago Hop Stakes here last Saturday. Most recently, Stormin Gold disappointed as the 2-1 favorite in the San Jacinto Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park when her chances were

compromised by the lack of a legitimate pace. She should get some quick early fractions to work with on Sunday as she returns to the turf course that produced an allowance win for her in late September. Kirk LeBlanc will be in the saddle.

Unbridled Echo, a 4-year-old Unbridled's Song filly trained by Thomas Proctor, will look to recapture some of the magic that produced a second-place performance in the Flawlessy Stakes at Arlington on Sept. 11. After a freshening, she finished seventh in optional-claiming company at Churchill Downs the first week in November. She should be tighter Sunday under Corey Lanerie.

In the ninth race, an extremely competitive field of 12 filly and mare sprinters will line up at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Scott's Doll could be a slight choice off a runner-up finish in a similar spot here Nov. 20. She managed to get by with soft early fractions that day, and despite the competitive nature of Sunday's race, there once again appears to be a dearth of serious early foot. Robby Albarado rides.

Shady Caller, an inconsistent but talented Caller I.D. filly trained by Bret Calhoun, should also draw her fair share of support. Third in the rapidly run Lady's Secret Stakes at Remington in her last start, she has won 3 of her 11 starts. Roman Chapa will handle the riding chores.