Weatherstorm to carry 126

MUSKEGON, Mich. - Weatherstorm, riding a four-race winning streak, heads a field of six Michigan-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings, including two stablemates, in Wednesday's $50,000 Mackinac Handicap at Great Lakes Downs.

Weatherstorm, at 126 pounds, will spot his rivals six to 15 pounds in the 1 1/16-mile Mackinac. Owned by Marion Gorham, Weatherstorm is trained by her brother, veterinarian Robert Gorham, who is second in the trainer standings here.

Weatherstorm, a 16-length winner of his division of the Michigan Sire Stakes last year, has won his last four starts, including the Dowling, Spartan, and Lansing stakes. Leading jockey Terry Houghton will be aboard from the inside post.

Gorham also entered Out With a Bang and Shoot with Pride.

Heza Hemi was second in the Dowling Stakes in his most recent start. Trainer Larry Penner has named apprentice Jareth Loveberry, fourth in the rider standings, to ride.

Prince Nick, from the barn of leading trainer Gerald Bennett, has been beaten by Weatherstorm in his last three starts. He finished third in the Dowling last time out and was second in the Spartan and Lansing.

The only runner in the field not to have been struck by one of Weatherstorm's lightning bolts is Lite the Road, who in his last start won a first-level allowance race by 8 1/2 lengths.