Stormy Liberal Wins in Del Mar Return
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Photo: BENOIT PHOTO
Stormy Liberal (outside) beats Tribalist by a nose in an optional-claiming allowance race at Del Mar
The race may have been labeled an allowance, but from the quarter pole to the wire July 25 at Del Mar, two of the best turf sprinters on the West Coast engaged in a top-class duel.
Tribalist, who entered the five-furlong grass sprint undefeated in three starts on the Del Mar turf, was the pursued late in the turn. He ran a first quarter in :22.45 and was traveling over the firm course well.
But the pursuer happened to be 2017 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner Stormy Liberal, in his first start at Del Mar since his tight score over Peter Miller-trained stablemate Richard's Boy in November.
The margin Wednesday was actually tighter than that Breeders' Cup race, as Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen's Stormy Liberal just got up to win by a nose under jockey Drayden Van Dyke after some bumping in the stretch initiated by Tribalist.
"He looked good, and that's all that really matters. And that Tribalist is a good horse," said Rockingham Ranch racing manager Brian Trump. "We liked the chemistry between Drayden and him."
Stormy Liberal finished the distance in :55.72, and Tribalist came in 3 1/2 lengths clear of third-place finisher Right Hand Man.
Trump said Stormy Liberal—who has traveled to Hong Kong, Dubai, and New York in the past eight months—is likely to stay home for his next start in the Aug. 17 Green Flash Handicap, also at five furlongs at Del Mar. Tribalist won the Green Flash in 2017.
"It would be great to keep him out here," Trump said.
Stormy Liberal has a 9-8-1 record from 27 starts and more than $1.2 million in earnings. A $40,000 claim by Miller in October 2016, Stormy Liberal was bred in Kentucky by Dapple Bloodstock and Gryphon Investments, out of the Royal Academy mare Vassar.
Video: Race 4 (AOC) at DMR on 7/25/18