Stormy Lucy up against strong field in Gamely Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stormy Lucy rolled wide through the stretch in the Grade 3 Santa Barbara Handicap at Santa Anita last month for a second consecutive stakes win.

By any measure, the performance was outstanding, but it has not scared away the competition for the $300,000 Gamely Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on turf Monday at Santa Anita. Stormy Lucy is part of a field of nine, and while she merits ample support, there are plenty of fillies and mares capable of a win.

Miss Serendipity and Changethechannel, second and third in the Santa Barbara, are part of the field for the Grade 1 Gamely, along with the stakes winners Customer Base, Emollient, Emotional Kitten, Parranda, and Premier Steps. Rhagori, a four-time winner in England, will be an outsider.

Trained by Ed Moger Jr. for his brother, Steve, Stormy Lucy has yet to win a Grade 1, but she has been close, finishing second as a 43-1 outsider in the 2012 Del Mar Oaks. In her most recent start in a Grade 1, Stormy Lucy was eighth of nine in the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes as a 53-1 longshot.

This year, her form has improved noticeably, leaving Ed Moger confident regarding Monday’s race.

“Speed-wise, it looks like she has to improve,” Moger said. “She’s beaten some good horses. I sure think she can win. She’s on top of her game.”

The Santa Barbara was Stormy Lucy’s first start for the Mogers, who bought her privately from trainer Frank Lucarelli’s stable following a win March 16 in the Grade 2 Santa Ana Stakes. The Santa Ana was run over 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Emotional Kitten and Miss Serendipity were second and third in the Santa Anita. Emotional Kitten subsequently finished fourth April 12 in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes on turf at Keeneland.

While Stormy Lucy has strong recent credentials, Emollient, Miss Serendipity, and Parranda are dangers.

Emollient won the Grade 1 American Oaks at Hollywood Park last December but has been a disappointment in her last two starts, finishing fourth at 4-5 in the Santa Ana and third at 3-5 in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes on the Polytrack synthetic surface April 18 at Keeneland.

Miss Serendipity was a Group 1 winner in Argentina last year but is winless in four stakes in California this year. Over 1 1/4 miles in the Santa Barbara, Miss Serendipity led in the stretch but was beaten a neck by Stormy Lucy. Trainer Ron McAnally said the shorter trip could help the 6-year-old Miss Serendipity, who will be ridden by Brice Blanc.

“She’s doing well physically,” McAnally said. “She made the lead at a mile and an eighth. I think Brice has taught her to rate a little bit. My experience with South Americans is that the longer they’re here, the better they get.”

The distance should not pose a problem for Parranda, who won the Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes over a mile on turf in her California debut. Earlier this year, she won the Grade 3 Suwannee River Stakes over 1 1/8 miles on turf at Gulfstream Park, leading throughout.

“I think she can go on,” trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “More distance will suit her well. She’s a very happy horse, and she’s settling in here very well.”

The Gamely is the seventh of nine races on a program that begins at 1:30 p.m., a half-hour later than normal.