Got Stormy, Green Light Go Well Following Saratoga Wins

Gary Barber and Southern Equine Stables' Got Stormy had her connections in positive spirits Aug. 11 after the 4-year-old filly bested the boys by 2 1/2 lengths in Saturday's Fourstardave Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

With the score off just seven days rest since winning the Aug. 3 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose at Saratoga, the Mark Casse trainee earned an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) in November at Santa Anita Park.

"She came back good and was real happy this morning," Casse assistant Jamie Begg said. "I thought it was a big ask, but her numbers said it was good enough. That's the first time she's done it. There was every reason there to do it. People just don't do it. If you do it and goes badly, you look dumb. But when it works out, it's great."

Casse was quick to credit Barber for having faith in the daughter of Get Stormy , who became the first filly in 35 editions of the Fourstardave to earn a trip to the winner's circle. 

"Mark's not one to take credit. He said Gary was the one who made the decision," Begg said. "(Mark) conditions the horse and got her in a position to succeed, but he said, 'I'm not making that decision on my own.'"

Got Stormy is likely to make her next start against the boys once again in the $1 million Woodbine Mile (G1T) Sept. 14. 

Begg said another Barber-owned grade 1-winner is doing well. Preakness-victor War of Will, who continues to train forwardly to the Sept. 21 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing. 

War of Will is getting some extra time between races after running fifth in the July 27 Jim Dandy (G2) at the Spa. 

"He's doing good. He's had a tough campaign, so I think the reason for the Pennsylvania Derby, besides the fact it could come up easier than the Travers (G1), is giving him that extra time between starts to get him back up," Begg said. "He's just such a bear of a workhorse that you can't tell that he's run down, because he shows up in the morning to put in those works. When he races, it's a different animal, and that's when you see it. So, we're trying to get him back up to where he was."

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens also reported Stronach Stables' 2-year-old Green Light Go, now unbeaten in two starts, exited his victory in the Saratoga Special (G2) in good order Sunday morning. 

"He looks good this morning," Jerkens said. "He ate up all his feed and he's in good order, so it's exciting."

Jerkens, who picked up his first victory of the Saratoga meet from 12 starts, said he was thrilled with the exciting performance of the Hard Spun  colt. 

"Things hadn't been too good up to yesterday, so it was nice to get that victory the way we did," Jerkens added. "Hopefully, we can keep it going."

Jerkens said he would nominate Green Light Go for the Sept. 2 Runhappy Hopeful Stakes (G1), but that the colt would more likely make his next start in the Oct. 5 Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.

"We'll nominate for the Hopeful and take a look at the field, but it's more likely we run in the Champagne," Jerkens said. "We'll let the horse tell us and we'll see which spot works for him best. We'll see how he goes on."