Stormy Liberal works toward Hong Kong Sprint

Stormy Liberal, the upset winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4, worked five furlongs in 59.20 seconds in a clockwise direction at San Luis Rey Downs on Tuesday in preparation for the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Dec 10.

Stormy Liberal began the workout just before the first turn, and ran down the stretch and onto the backstretch for five furlongs, according to trainer Peter Miller. Miller timed Stormy Liberal in 22.60 seconds for the final quarter-mile. Stormy Liberal galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.60.

“He really flew home from the quarter pole to the half,” Miller said. “You don’t hear that very often.”

The $2.36 million Hong Kong Sprint is run at six furlongs on turf and will be the first right-handed race of Stormy Liberal’s career. Owned by Rockingham Ranch, Stormy Liberal has won 8 of 22 starts and earned $983,570.

Miller is confident Stormy Liberal will run well if he can handle the journey. Stormy Liberal is scheduled to be flown on Friday.

“He’s training every bit as good if not better” than going into the Breeders’ Cup, Miller said. “If the race were here, we’d be tough to beat. The whole thing is the trip.”

Silvestre de Sousa, the champion jockey during the turf flat season in Great Britain this year, has the mount, Miller said.