Turfway: Four in a row for Hot Storm

Hot Storm once again asserted her superiority atop the local filly-mare sprint division by edging clear for her fourth straight victory in the $43,500 Wishing Well Stakes at Turfway Park.

Ridden by Jesus Castanon, Hot Storm stalked the early pace set by Very Vegas before finally wearing Very Vegas down in the six-furlong Wishing Well. Hot Storm prevailed by 1 1/4 lengths, with Very Vegas finishing another six lengths ahead of Ella Belle in a field of 10 fillies and mares. Hot Storm returned $3.60 after finishing in 1:11.78 over Polytrack.

Hot Storm, a 4-year-old Florida-bred by Stormy Atlantic, is trained by Dallas Stewart and owned by Cincinnati resident Bob Adams. The Wishing Well extended a win streak that also includes the Weekend Delight and Holiday Inaugural at Turfway and a classified allowance at Churchill Downs.

Hot Storm has won 7 of 17 starts and $394,505.

Very Vegas, prompted by Spring Rush and Hot Storm, led through fractions of 22.55 and 46.51seconds but was no match when Castanon went to a steady right-handed whip through the drive. Castanon, the leading rider at the Turfway holiday meet, has been riding primarily at Tampa Bay Downs since Jan. 1. He also rode Hot Storm in her two previous stakes wins at Turfway.