Stormy Lucy seeks to win photo this time in Buena Vista
ARCADIA, Calif. – The decision to leave Stormy Lucy in training as a 7-year-old this year was an easy one for the brothers Steve and Ed Moger, who own and train the mare.
Last November, Stormy Lucy won the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes at Del Mar, the most prestigious win of her career. Since then, Stormy Lucy has lost Grade 3 races by a neck and a nose at the current Santa Anita winter-spring meeting. She can reverse that streak of near misses in Saturday’s $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes for older fillies and mares at a mile on turf.
A better start will be vital in a race that has drawn 14 entrants but will be limited to 12 starters.
“She’s needs a good trip,” said Ed Moger Jr.
Stormy Lucy was second to Keri Belle in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes on Jan. 18. Keri Belle is part of the field for the Grade 2 Buena Vista along with Theatre Star, who was third by a neck in the Megahertz. The race will be the 2016 debut of Her Emmynency, who won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup last year.
KEY CONTENDERS
Stormy Lucy, by Stormy Atlantic
Last 3 Beyers: 93-92-99
◗ Stormy Lucy has won 8 of 33 starts and earned $811,700. She is the oldest runner in the Buena Vista.
“For some reason, she’s really happy right now,” Ed Moger said.
◗ Stormy Lucy was troubled by slow starts when second in the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel Stakes on Dec. 27 and in the Megahertz. She closed from 11th of 12 to just miss catching Keri Belle in the Megahertz.
“Those were good horses to get by,” Moger said.
◗ Kent Desormeaux was aboard for those races and has the mount Saturday. Even with a clean break, Stormy Lucy is expected to be well off the pace of Glory and possibly Her Emmynency, who races near the front.
Her Emmynency, by Successful Appeal
Last 3 Beyers: 98-94-80
◗ She joined trainer Kristin Mulhall’s stable in California last fall, having been previously trained by Michael Stidham. The Buena Vista will be the first start for Her Emmynency since the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland last October.
◗ Her Emmynency will be ridden by Joe Talamo, who rode her three times as a 2-year-old in 2014. Mulhall said Her Emmynency must be patient early to have a chance of winning.
“It depends on what she does in the first eighth,” she said. “If she relaxes, she’ll settle in and can finish.”
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 9 Her Emmynency. Trainer Kristin Mulhall is 21-3-4-2 with a $5.32 ROI over the past five years on turf in the first start following a trainer switch. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Keri Belle, by Empire Maker
Last 3 Beyers: 93-91-85
◗ Keri Belle won her first stakes in the Megahertz Stakes in her 12th start. She closed from ninth with a wide rally to win under Alex Solis, who has the mount Saturday.
◗ Keri Belle starts from the rail, which will make a clean trip vital in a large field.
“That’s a big part of turf racing,” said trainer John Shirreffs. “You’ve got to get out somewhere.”
Prize Exhibit, by Showcasing
Last 3 Beyers: 68-97-92
◗ She won the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes on the hillside turf course Jan. 3 but was seventh of nine in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes at seven furlongs on the main track Jan. 23.
◗ Trained by Jim Cassidy, Prize Exhibit won the Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes at a mile on turf at Del Mar last July and was later sixth behind Stormy Lucy in the Matriarch Stakes.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Prize Exhibit. Trainer James Cassidy is 22-0-3-3 over the past five years going dirt to turf and sprint to route. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan