Miller Back With 2017's Top Two Turf Sprint Finishers

Considering the slim margin of error in turf sprints—where taking up, getting pinned on the rail, or getting caught wide can be the difference between winning and not even hitting the board—last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) winner, Stormy Liberal, finds a way more often than not.

Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen's Stormy Liberal will take a three-race win streak—each victory by a head or a nose during that stretch—into this year's Turf Sprint, a 5 1/2-furlong test Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs. He is one of three horses entered by trainer Peter Miller, who also sends out Rockingham's Richard's Boy, who ran a close second in last year's Turf Sprint, and Gary Barber's Conquest Tsunami.

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Miller marvels at Stormy Liberal's ability to find a way. His winning streak started with a five-furlong, optional-claiming allowance race he won by a nose July 25 at Del Mar, followed by a nose victory over Richard's Boy in the Green Flash Handicap at the same distance there. In those races, he rallied from fourth and fifth, respectively, but he used a closer, stalking trip to win the Eddie D Stakes (G3T) Sept. 28 at about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill at Santa Anita Park.

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"It's really a testament to his heart—the desire to win," Miller said. "He knows where the wire is, and he puts his head down right on the line. I think that's really the main difference between winning and losing in these turf sprints."

Miller's 2018 Turf Sprint trio made the trip to Dubai this year for the turf sprint conducted there on the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1) undercard—the Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi Developments (G1). Stormy Liberal finished second in that six-furlong test, Conquest Tsunami came in third, and Richard's Boy was sixth.

Miller said the schedule has come together nicely for Stormy Liberal.

"It's just gone smoothly. There was an allowance race in the book at Del Mar that he fit to a 'T.' I didn't ask for it. It just was there," Miller said. "We won that and springboarded to the Green Flash, springboarded to Santa Anita. He's just really maintained his form. He's just a hickory horse—rock-solid and shows up every time. I'm very fortunate to train him."

With Stormy Liberal in post 9, Richard's Boy in post 12, and Conquest Tsunami in post 14, Miller acknowledged they'll need some racing luck, but that's often the case in turf sprints.

"They're similar horses. They're older geldings, they're all very sound, (and) all have tremendous heart and class," the trainer said. "They bring it every time. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have three horses in the race, all with live chances. They're similar horses—all tactical and they all give their best. That's all you can ask for, that they try. You're going to win some and lose some.

"I'd be happy if any of the three won. It's hard to say they're all my favorites, but all three of them really do have a soft spot in my heart."