Stormy Destin owns highest last Beyer

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Stormy Destin, an impressive debut winner, will take on stakes winner Love the Beach on Sunday in the $50,000 Rainbow Miss Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

A six-furlong race for 3-year-old fillies, it is one of two restricted stakes on the card. The other is the $50,000 Rainbow for 3-year-olds. Both races are limited to horses bred in Arkansas.

beat statebreds in her debut, when she led throughout for a 5 1/4-length win in a maiden special weight race March 8. She covered the six furlongs in a strong 1:11.24 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 88, the highest last-race number in the Rainbow Miss.

"She ran as fast as open maidens did," said Terry Brennan, who trains Stormy Destin.

Stormy Destin will be coupled with , who is stakes-placed. Both horses race for Millsap Stable, and both are by Storm and a Half, who was recognized as the leading sire last year in Arkansas.

Robby Albarado has the mount on Stormy Destin, while Calvin Borel will ride Angel's Are Due, who is also trained by Brennan.

enters the Rainbow off a sixth-place finish in a deep open-company optional claimer March 1. The race was her first start in five months, and the winner, Jazzy Okie, who has won multiple stakes, covered the six furlongs in a sharp 1:10.30.

"That was a tough race," said Cole Norman, who trains Love the Beach. "She got a lot out of that race."

In her final prep for the Rainbow Miss, Love the Beach worked five furlongs in 1:00.80.

"It was a good move," said Norman. "She relaxed and finished up strong. If she runs that way, she'll be in good shape. She's coming into it good."

Love the Beach won the $45,000 Lady Razorback Futurity at Louisiana Downs last September. Jamie Theriot has the mount on the filly, a daughter of Salt Lake who races for Bill and Denise Morrison.

Norman will send out Meme's Boy in the Rainbow. Meme's Boy won his debut at Oaklawn on Feb. 12, when he stalked and pounced for a 5 3/4-length win in a maiden claimer, earning a Beyer Figure of 77. One start later, he stepped into a statebred allowance and finished fourth March 16.

Theriot has the mount on Meme's Boy.

Two other major contenders in the Rainbow are Storm Is Due and Brassie Prince.