'Stormy' leads field of seven in Rainbow

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Stormy But Crafty, who has won three of his last four starts, should go favored over a competitive field of seven for the $50,000 Rainbow Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Sunday. The six-furlong race for 3-year-olds is restricted to horses bred in Arkansas.

Also on the program is the $50,000 Rainbow Miss, for 3-year-old fillies bred in Arkansas.

Stormy But Crafty started his current streak with a win over $25,000 maiden claiming foes at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 27. He returned one start later and captured the $40,000 Razorback Futurity, a stakes for Arkansas-breds on Oct. 16 that is held each year at Louisiana Downs.

Following a winter break, Stormy But Crafty returned to action on Feb. 26 and was third against open company in an entry-level allowance at Oaklawn. One start later, he won the prep for the Rainbow when he cruised to a 3 1/4-length win in a statebred optional claiming allowance on March 16.

Stormy But Crafty has shown speed in his races, and figures to be close to the lead on Sunday.

"He can be on the lead, or he can stalk," said Cole Norman, who trains Stormy But Crafty. "He's very versatile."

Jamie Theriot has the mount on Stormy But Crafty, who races for Denise Morrison and Juliann Womack.

Among the chief threats are Sir Rodger Dodger, who was a sharp debut winner last out for trainer Richard Jackson. Despite being checked early in the race, Sir Rodger Dodger broke through with a 3 3/4-length win. He will be ridden by Luis Quinonez.

Wow Yao, also trained by Jackson, was an impressive maiden winner in February, when he stormed to a 7 1/2-length win in a six-furlong race for statebreds at Oaklawn. Cliff Berry will ride Wow Yao.

Trainer Morris Nicks will send out Wild Shivers, who was also a maiden winner this meet at Oaklawn.

- Half a Storm and Doll and a Half, the one-two finishers in the $40,000 Lady Razorback last fall at Louisiana Downs, will meet again in the Rainbow Miss.