Third time on dirt may be the charm for Hush of a Storm

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The last time Hush of a Storm raced on dirt, he faced the likes of Essential Quality and Rombauer, horses who would win two of three classics in 2021. The competition is far less daunting Thursday at Aqueduct when Hush of a Storm tries dirt again in a second-level allowance/optional $45,000 claiming race for New York-breds.

Hush of a Storm, owned and trained by Bill Morey, has recorded all three of his career victories over Turfway Park’s synthetic surface. That included a victory in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes on Feb. 26. It was after that race that Hush of a Storm ran in the Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland where he was in contention for the first five furlongs before fading to seventh, 24 1/4 lengths behind Essential Quality, the ultimate Belmont Stakes winner.

Hush of a Storm’s only other dirt race came in his career debut in 2020 at Churchill Downs, a race where he finished eighth, beaten 10 3/4 lengths.

“I was actually happy with that race, he did just what we thought he might do, he showed some finish; on paper you can’t really see that,” Morey said. “He wasn’t cranked to go seven furlongs, he wasn’t a seven-furlong horse. And the next time, look at the running line, Essential Quality. We know he loves the synthetic, he’s probably a little better on the synthetic. I’m not going to condemn him off those two dirt efforts. This is where we’re going to find out.”

:: Want to start playing with a $510 bankroll and have access to free Formulator? Learn more

This 1 1/8-mile race will be Hush of a Storm’s first start against New York-breds. Morey said this horse is one reason why he decided to bring a string to New York for the first time this winter. So far, things have worked out well for Morey, who has won five races from 12 starters including Sunday’s Ruthless Stakes with Shotgun Hottie.

Dylan Davis, aboard for three of Morey’s five wins at the meet, has the call from post 2.

Hush of a Storm may benefit from the presence of Therisastormbrewin and Blewitt, who are both coming off front-running victories at 1 1/8 miles and who have both won two straight races.

Water’s Edge, no worse than second in six career starts, will attempt 1 1/8 miles and two turns for the first time. He is coming off a second-place finish to Yankee Division in this condition going a mile Jan. 14. Trainer David Donk is adding blinkers to Water’s Edge for this race.

“If you watch the race last time he got idling in the stretch,” said Donk, adding that jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. told him “he just didn’t want to go by. One horse came to his outside and he grabbed the bridle and engaged again. I just think he needs to be a little more focused even though he’s run as well as he has.”

Donk said he has always wanted to stretch Water’s Edge out in distance, believing it will be easier on him.

No Salt and Anything Pazible, third and eighth, respectively, in the aforementioned Jan. 14 race, complete the field.