Get Stormy Blows Away Rivals in 25th Running of the Woodford Reserve Turf

May 14, 2011 John Asher

Sullimar Stables’ Get Stormy took the lead out of the gate under Ramon Dominguez and never trailed on his way to posting a three-quarters of a length victory over Smart Bid in the 25th running of the $576,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) on Saturday, Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs.

Get Stormy, who was coming off a victory in the Grade I Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland on April 15, covered the 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course that was listed as “firm” in 1:50.81.

Trained by Tom Bush, Get Stormy opened a clear lead before the field crossed under the finish line the first time with Smart Bid and Rahystrada in closest pursuit. Dominguez doled out fractions of :24.97, :50.67 and 1:15.21 before letting out a notch at the head of the stretch and kicking clear of the field with enough left to hold off Smart Bid.

For Get Stormy, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Stormy Atlantic out of the Kiri’s Clown mare Foolish Gal, the victory was worth $332,122 and increased his earnings to $1,128,083 with a record of 22-10-2-2 that also includes a victory in the Grade III Commonwealth Turf here in 2009.

Get Stormy returned $17, $9 and $6. Smart Bid, ridden by Edgar Prado, returned $7.80 and $5.20 in finishing a neck ahead of Doubles Partner, who paid $4.80 to show under Julien Leparoux.

A length back in fourth was Rahystrada, who was followed in order by Prince Will I Am, Moryba (BRZ), Teaks North, Al Khali, Court Vision, Memorial Maniac, Stately Victor and Expansion. Battle of Hastings (GB) was pulled up on the first turn.

WOODFORD RESERVE TURF CLASSIC QUOTES

RAMON DOMINGUEZ (Jockey, Get Stormy, first) – “That’s the way it looked on paper, that we would be on the lead, and it worked out that way. I was glad that that was the case today. There was not a lot of speed on paper, and I sure everyone knew how rapid my horse can be. I was very pleased that we were able to get away with slow fractions and my horse was very relaxed. Turning for home, he really sprinted from the 3/8ths pole to the wire.”

TOM BUSH (Trainer, Get Stormy, first) — “If we were going to carve out a dream scenario, that was it. He’s been extra special and we got a little off the beaten track there for a couple of races and were kind of worried about him but we’re glad he didn’t lose his confidence. We think we’ve got him back where he was and I think he’s probably a better horse than he was when he was a 4-year-old. Hopefully there’s more ahead but these are two big races he’s won this spring.

    “He won here as a 3-year-old in the fall so we knew he was OK with the turf. I wanted to keep him kind of quiet the first couple of weeks at Keeneland because we were running him back a little close so I didn’t want to get him all pepped up bringing him over here so we didn’t bring him over here until Monday. He had a few days galloping over here and he did very well. He stayed relaxed and I knew he was going to run real well today.”

Are you thinking about the Breeders’ Cup? 

         “You’ve got Frankel and Goldikova and Gio Ponti but other than that, sure.”

How did Ramon come to replace Javier Castellano?

          “It was an odd situation and I don’t know exactly know how it did happen but those agent stories, you’ve heard them before. We were happy to get Ramon and that’s all that counts.”

 What were your early impressions of him? 

          “When he was a 3-year-old and came to the barn he looked like a piece of spaghetti. He was a leggy little narrow-chested, light little thing. This horse changed dramatically from the end of his 3-year-old year into his 4-year-old year. This horse really thickened up.”

EDGAR PRADO (Jockey, Smart Bid, second) – “I thought the pace scenario was going to work out since I was forwardly placed early. But when I made my move the winner was just too good.'

JULIEN LEPAROUX (Jockey, Doubles Partner, third) – “My horse had a good trip. At first he was a little keen but then he relaxed good. We got to the inside after that and he finished good. He ran big.”