Stormofthecentury, 8, finds fountain of youth in Karl Boyes Memorial

Stormofthecentury hadn’t raced at Presque Isle Downs in three years. But he clearly hasn’t forgotten how much he loves running on the Erie, Pa., track's synthetic Tapeta surface.

After failing to display any hint of early speed on dirt and turf in three starts this season, the 8-year-old Stormofthecentury turned back the clock and dashed off to a wire-to-wire score as a 25-1 longshot in Monday night’s $100,000 Karl Boyes Memorial Stakes.

Ridden for the first time by Luis Quinones, the Mountaineer-based Stormofthecentury ($52.40) reeled off fractions of 21.52 and 44.93 seconds en route to covering 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.87. He finished about two lengths clear of Chicago shipper Good Bye Greg, the 9-5 favorite. Rapid Dan, wheeling back seven days after a dull fifth-place finish on turf, was third at 6-1.

It was Stormofthecentury’s fifth win in 11 starts at Presque Isle, but his first since he captured a first-level allowance on June 10, 2013. Stormofthecentury, a son of Dark Kestrel trained by Louis Ruberto for Roberto Racing Stable, is now 10 for 32 with earnings of $553,728.

“I’ve worked this horse in the morning for years, but this is the first time I had the chance to ride him,” Quinones said. “He’s always worked very fast. The others were using me as a rabbit and we took advantage. I know this horse real good and I knew what I had under me.”