Stormy Liberal edges Richard's Boy again in Green Flash

DEL MAR, Calif.-Some things never seem to change at Del Mar.

Last November, Stormy Liberal and Richard’s Boy were first and second, separated by a head, in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at five furlongs on turf. In Friday’s $88,840 Green Flash Handicap over the same course and distance, Stormy Liberal edged Richard’s Boy by a nose to win the summer meeting’s top turf sprint.

The two runners are owned by Rockingham Ranch and trained by Peter Miller. Rockingham co-owns Stormy Liberal with David Bernsen.

“It’s deja vu all over again, in the words of Yogi Berra,” Miller said.

Stormy Liberal, ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, was fifth in the opening quarter-mile and rallied wide to reach the front in the final strides. Richard’s Boy, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, led in early stretch, but could not hold off his stablemate.

“I was loving the set up,” Van Dyke said. “Tyler Gaffalione got Richard’s Boy to track outside. I know my horse lugs in. I wanted to get a rail trip. I went a little extra wide to let him get down to the other horse.”

Stormy Liberal ($5.60) was sent off favored and timed in 55.66 seconds.

Touching Rainbows, who broke in traffic with the longshot The Rule of King’s, closed from sixth to finish third, followed by Pee Wee Reese, Right Hand Man, Tribalist, and The Rule of King’s.

Pee Wee Reese was vanned off after he was pulled up as a precaution and taken to trainer Phil D’Amato’s barn, according to veterinary officials.

Stormy Liberal, a 6-year-old gelding by Stormy Atlantic, has won 10 of 28 starts and earned $1,308,930. The Green Flash Handicap was Stormy Liberal’s first start since a sixth in the Grade 2 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park in June, and his first win in five starts since the BC Turf Sprint.

Miller indicated that both Stormy Liberal and Richard’s Boy are on course for the BC Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3, with one prep likely in the interim.