Get Stormy improved his record to four
wins from five starts at Saratoga Race Course with a 2 ¾-length victory on
Friday in the 52nd running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Bernard Baruch
Handicap on the turf.
Entering today’s event off a gate-to-wire triumph in the Grade 2
Fourstardave Handicap on August 1 at the Spa, Get Stormy stalked the pace in
second after conceding the early lead to National Kid, who dictated a tempo of
23.81, 47.83, and 1:10.90. After drawing to the throatlatch of the pacesetter
as they straightened for the stretch run, Get Stormy gained the upper hand
under a drive with a furlong left and drew clear of National Kid, who finished second,
one length ahead of third-place finisher Radical Sabbatical.
Get Stormy, who in the Baruch was contesting 1 1/8th miles
for the first time, covered the distance in 1:46.70 and returned $3.90 for a $2
win wager to his backers in the crowd of 21,654.
“The last time I rode him, he settled pretty well,” said winning
jockey Javier Castellano. “He's the type of horse you can do whatever you
want with him. We were tucked in behind [National Kid]. When I pushed the
button, he took off. He had a lot left in the end. I was excited for him today
because this was a mile and an eighth race today. The question was if he could
handle the distance, and he did.”
Going into the race, winning trainer Tom Bush believed National Kid had
superior early speed but trusted Castellano to put Get Stormy in a good spot.
“Javier did the right thing – he kept the hedge going
through the first two turns, then he stepped him outside a little bit,”
said Bush. “He rode absolutely exceptionally. This horse showed last year
that he could definitely sit if he had to, and he certainly did that
today.”
The Baruch was the sixth stakes victory for Get Stormy, who last year
won an allowance race and the Lure at the Spa. After taking a pair of Grade 3
races in Kentucky in the autumn, he captured
the Elkwood at Monmouth
Park in May and was
fourth in the Grade 2 King Edward at Woodbine in June in his only two starts in
2010 prior to his success in the Fourstardave.
Get Stormy – owned by his breeder, Mary Sullivan of Sullimar
Stable – added $120,000 to his career earnings, which now stand at $555,961.
The 4-year-old son of Stormy Atlantic has posted a record of 8-2-1 from 16
starts.
The rest of the field finished in a four-way photo for fourth, with
Sudden War, Baletti, Whatsthescript, and Rogue Victory completing the order of
finish.