Stormy Liberal looks formidable in Clocker's Corner

ARCADIA, Calif. – Other than a lopsided number of second-place finishes – having been the runner-up in five of his last seven – Stormy Liberal looks like a total standout in the $75,000 Clocker’s Corner Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita.

A full field entered the turf sprint, which is restricted to nonwinners of a graded race since July 1. Stormy Liberal did not win the Grade 3 San Simeon last out, but his solid runner-up finish should make him the deserving favorite in the Clocker’s Corner.

Peter Miller trains Stormy Liberal for Rockingham Ranch, the racing stable owned by Gary Hartunian. Miller and Hartunian rolled the dice three starts back when they claimed Stormy Liberal for $40,000 in his first start back from a six-month layoff.

Stormy Liberal won the race from which he was claimed and maintained his top form in both subsequent starts – runner-up finishes to He Will in a second-level allowance and to Bettys Bambino in the San Simeon. The competition Sunday is less daunting.

Moonlight Drive, third last out in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile, makes his first start since being gelded, McHeat makes his second start back from a layoff, and Tribal Fighter also returns from a short freshening. Along with Stormy Liberal, the contenders share something in common – all are specialists on the Santa Anita hill.

The 6 1/2-furlong Clocker’s Corner is the ninth and final race Sunday and includes Horse Laugh, Blameitonthelaw, Stylistics United, the mares Indriya and Snow Cloud, Cape Wolfe, Forever Juanito, and the also-eligible Aotearoa.

Clocker’s Corner, Race 9

KEY CONTENDERS

Stormy Liberal, by Stormy Atlantic

Last 3 Beyers: 97-99-100

◗ He has two wins and three seconds from eight starts on the downhill course.

◗ Norberto Arroyo rode Stormy Liberal for the first time last out, rallying to the lead at the eighth pole before getting swallowed up late.

◗ Stormy Liberal is a full brother to Coast Guard, a top California-based 3-year-old in 2008 whose career ended after six starts.

Moonlight Drive, by Red Rocks

Last 3 Beyers: 95-89-93

◗ His only previous start on the hill was a front-running win in a second-level allowance.

◗ Rafael Bejarano rides for trainer Bob Baffert, who is 4 for 14 in Santa Anita turf sprints since the fall 2015.

McHeat, by Unusual Heat

Last 3 Beyers: 90-98-93

◗ A closer trained by Craig Lewis, he is 2 for 5 on the hill and will be ridden by Corey Nakatani.

Tribal Fighter, by Tribal Rule

Last 3 Beyers: 82-95-89

◗ He finished second by a nose in two previous Santa Anita turf sprints.

◗ Although he is eligible to a first-level allowance, his speed figures give him a longshot chance for trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Flavien Prat.