Look Back: Mariah's Storm Tops Lakeway in Falls City

Another 1-2 favorite was defeated in a Churchill Downs stakes over the weekend, although this one didn't fare as respectably as Birr, who ran second to Gold Sunrise in the Golden Rod Stakes (G3). Mike Rutherford's Lakeway, 12 days out from easily winning the Churchill Downs Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3), ran fourth to Thunderhead Farms' Mariah's Storm when coming back for more in the $220,600 Falls City Handicap (G3) on Thanksgiving Day.

"I never have liked running horses back that quick," trainer Gary Jones said after Lakeway failed to threaten seriously when finishing six lengths behind. "Right there is why."

For the Mariah's Storm camp, redemption was sweet—and emotional. The 4-year-old Rahy filly was a genuine Midwest star until finishing a lackluster third in the Spinster Stakes (G1), then a terrible ninth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), efforts that had trainer Don Von Hemel wondering what had become of her.

"We're guardedly optimistic," he said two days before the race.

So after Mariah's Storm stalked front-running Alcovy from the start of the 1 1/8-mile Falls City, then surged past to overtake her by 1 1/2 lengths at the wire, Von Hemel feld vindication. Meanwhile, the filly's regular rider, Bobby Lester, was feeling for his late mother in law, Dorothy Raftery, who had died less than 24 hours beforehand.

"I'm dedicating this to her," Lester said.

Mariah's Storm

The day after winning the Falls City Handicap (G3), Mariah's Storm was one happy camper at Churchill Downs. "She came back great," said the filly's groom Tami Timmerman. "She came back like she always does. She was just bouncing and happy as she could be. She knows when she wins."

Part of Timmerman's enthusiasm came from the fact that Mariah's Storm bested 1-2 choice Lakeway. Sent off at 3-1, Mariah's Storm raced in second behind Alcovy until taking the lead near the eighth pole and winning by 1 1/2 lengths from that rival. Alcovy, who won the 1994 renewal, finished three lengths in front of 25-1 Heavenliness, with Lakeway running fourth. Had Lakeway won the race, first-place money would have sent her over the $1 million mark in career earnings.

The Falls City was the second race this year that Mariah's Storm had beaten a seemingly invincible foe. In the Turfway Park Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap (G2) on Sept. 23, Mariah's Storm defeated 1-5 favorite Serena's Song by 5 1/2 lengths. 

Bill and Margie Peters race Mariah's Storm in the name of their Thunderhead Farms. The couple bought Mariah's Storm for $85,000 at the 1992 Keeneland September yearling sale on the advice of trainer Don Von Hemel. Mariah's Storm was consigned to the sale by Fred Seitz, agent for her breeder, Don Johnson's Crescent Farm.

Bill Peters, who is in the road construction business in Des Moines, Iowa, said that Mariah's Storm will race again in 1996. He added that the filly might be sold at the 1996 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

Rahy, sire of the Falls City winner, has sired 15 stakes winners, including additional 1995 added-money  winners Serena's Song (G1), Raw Gold (G2), Applaud (G3), Ashtabula, Beau Blush, Myrmidon, Exotic Wood, and Rahbaby. Owned by a partnership, Rahy stands at Mr. and Mrs. Robert N. Clay's Three Chimneys Farm near Midway Ky. His 1996 fee is $50,000.