Stormy Lucy (Stormy Atlantic), a 65-1 longshot, upset the GI Matriarch at Del Mar Sunday in thrilling fashion, giving her trainer Ed Moger, Jr., the first Grade I win of his career. The 6-year-old bay mare was away well from the stalls, as MGISW Hard Not To Like (Hard Spun) stumbled badly and was essentially out of contention from the start. Stormy Lucy rated one off the inside in midpack in the strung out field of 14 around the clubhouse turn and down the backside as Curlin's Fox (Curlin) rattled off snappy fractions of :22.69 and :46.70. Stormy Lucy improved her position heading into the final turn and angled out two paths on the bend. Swung out another lane at the top of the stretch to split foes, she shifted into gear to begin her rally. Stormy Lucky continued her charge to collar Recepta (Speightstown) in deep stretch and got her nose down in the shadow of the wire and pull off the improbable upset.
“She was doing great and she's such a good horse,” said trainer Ed Moger, Jr. “When you've got a good horse you've always got a chance. We've been trying to get a Grade I win for her all year. It's the first Grade I for me and I've been waiting for it for a long time. I've been training for 40 years. We wanted to run her in the Breeders' Cup and then go to the [Fasig-Tipton] sale. But then she didn't get in and we really wanted to win a Grade I, so that's why we're here.”
Rider Kent Desormeaux said, “She ran huge. The trainer told me she doesn't switch leads, but she did today–she sure did. Terrific race for her.”
Stormy Lucy, a $24,000 Barretts March 2-year-old purchase, began her career for owner Erica Gaunt and trainer Frank Lucarelli. She was privately purchased by Steve Moger and transferred to his brother, trainer Ed Moger, Jr., after her first graded score in the 2014 running of the GII Santa Ana S. The bay annexed the 2014 GI Santa Barbara H. in her first start for those new connections, but had yet to return to the winner's circle in eight subsequent starts. In her four starts this year, Stormy Lucy completed the GII Royal Heroine S. trifecta going a mile in Arcadia June 27, was eighth in the 1 1/8 mile GII John C. Mabee S. here Aug. 8, third in the GI Rodeo Drive S. stretching out to 1 1/4 miles upstate and was fifth in the GII Goldikova S. over this course and distance Nov. 1.
Stormy Lucky is out of Here Comes Lucinda (Dixieland Band), who has a Bodemeister yearling filly and a Stormy Atlantic weanling filly. She was bred back to Stormy Atlantic. Here Comes Lucinda is out of multiple stakes placed Lucinda K (Red Ransom) and is a half-sister to stakes winner and multiple graded stakes placed Thatswhatimean (Belong to Me); graded stakes placed Moonwalk (Malibu Moon); and graded stakes placed Atswhatimtalknbout (A.P. Indy).
Sunday, Del Mar
MATRIARCH S.-GI, $302,250, DMR, 11-29, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:35.16, fm.
1–&STORMY LUCY, 123, m, 6, by Stormy Atlantic
1st Dam: Here Comes Lucinda, by Dixieland Band
2nd Dam: Lucinda K, by Red Ransom
3rd Dam: Bold Crown, by George Navonod
($24,000 2yo '11 BARMAY). O-Steve Moger; B-MercedesStables LLC (KY); T-Ed Moger, Jr.; J-Kent J. Desormeaux. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 31-8-2-5, $771,700. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A.
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2–Recepta, 123, f, 4, Speightstown–Honor Bestowed, by HonorGrades. ($410,000 Ylg '12 KEESEP). O-Phillips Racing Partnership & Pam Gartin; B-John W. Phillips & Hank Snowden (KY); T-James J. Toner. $60,000.
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3–Filimbi, 123, m, 5, Mizzen Mast–Flute, by Seattle Slew.O/B-Juddmonte Farms, Inc. (KY); T-William I. Mott. $36,000.
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Margins: HD, 1HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 65.40, 7.00, 2.70.
Also Ran: Queen of The Sand (Ire), Gender Agenda (GB), Prize Exhibit (GB), Stellar Path (Fr), She's Not Here, Hard Not to Like, Chati's On Top, Crowley's Law (GB), Olorda (Ger), Curlin's Fox, Baruta (Brz). Scratched: Alexis Tangier.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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