Alvin Eisman and trainer William Currin’s homebred STORMELLO (Stormy Atlantic)
proved ultra-game in the $441,500
Hollywood Futurity (G1) over the Cushion Track
on Saturday, getting the better of a stretch long duel with Liquidity (Tiznow)
to take home the top prize. The two-year-old colt completed the 1 1/16 miles
under Kent Desormeaux in 1:42 on his way to a second graded tally. The chestnut
colt was sent off as the 3-1 second choice and paid out $8.80, $4.60 and $3.80
for his neck victory.
The top pair broke sharply, with the winner setting splits of :23 2/5, :47
3/5 and 1:11 3/5 for the opening six furlongs. As the field approached the turn
for home, Liquidity put a head in front and seemed to have the pacesetter
measured, reaching one mile in 1:35 4/5, but that was not the case. Stormello
fought back in midstretch and proved best on this day in a courageous effort.
Liquidity put in a huge effort and was unlucky at 15-1, settling for the place
worth $13 and $9. The winning exacta was good for $45.60 ($1), while the
trifecta paid $876 ($1) when the late-running Roman Commander (Deputy Commander)
grabbed third on the far outside another 1 1/4 lengths back. Show was worth
$11.20 for the 36-1 shot.
Belgravia (Mr. Greeley), the tepid 2-1 choice, sat on the bottom of the
$5,615.40 superfecta ($1) while a nose behind third, and was trailed by Silent Soul
(Afternoon Deelites), Notional (In Excess [Ire]), Unusual Suspect (Unusual
Heat), Principle Secret (Sea of Secrets), Senior (Arch) and Whatsthescript (Ire)
(Royal Applause [GB]).
Stormello captured the Norfolk Breeders’ Cup S. (G2) two prior, before
finishing a useful fifth while attending the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
(G1) most recently. The Kentucky-bred placed in the Best Pal S. (G2) and Del Mar
Futurity (G2), and now sports a career line of 7-3-0-2, $545,100.
Produced from the Carson City mare Wilshewed, the winner has an unnamed
yearling full sister, as well as a weanling half-sister named Malibuwed (Malibu
Moon).