Got Stormy stays sprinting

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Franklin County Stakes should provide a critical test in the unusual career of Got Stormy, the Grade 1-winning mare who’s being transformed from miler to sprinter.

“This should show us a lot ahead of the Breeders’ Cup,” said Mark Casse, who trains Got Stormy for Gary Barber.

Got Stormy, with Tyler Gaffalione to ride, is the 6-5 morning-line favorite in the 24th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Franklin County, the ninth of 10 races Friday at fan-free Keeneland. The 5 1/2-furlong race comes nearly four weeks since the mare successfully turned back from longer races to dominate the 6 1/2-furlong Ladies Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs.

“We were just looking ahead to what Breeders’ Cup race would be the best fit for her, and it sure seems like the Turf Sprint makes the most sense,” Casse said. “At this time of year, it always seems like there’s plenty of give in the turf at Keeneland. She really does prefer a firmer surface. Even though she won over soft ground at Kentucky Downs, she was much the best in that field.

“We don’t think she can carry her speed the entire trip against the best milers in the world. If the ground was very firm, then maybe. But the way it’s going to play out, we just think it’s better to shorten her up. She’s got a terrific turn of speed, and we’re trying to play on that, so this should be a good proving ground for her.”

The Sept. 12 Ladies Turf Sprint was the shortest race of Got Stormy’s career, and now she’ll go one furlong shorter when she breaks from post 10 in a full gate of 12 fillies and mares in the Franklin County. An earner of more than $1.9 million from 24 starts, Got Stormy has squared off – and fared well – against male rivals on a half-dozen occasions, most notably in winning the Grade 1 Fourstardave at Saratoga in 2019. She’ll have to face males again if in fact she runs back in the Nov. 7 BC Turf Sprint at Keeneland.

With triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures all over her past performances, including a 103 from the Ladies Turf Sprint, Got Stormy could tick down into odds-on favoritism Friday. Her main challenge could emerge from Into Mystic, Jakarta, Winning Envelope, Change of Control, and Chalon.

Of those, maybe Into Mystic (post 2, Joe Talamo) rates the best chance, at least if she can revert to the form she showed in earning a 100 Beyer in winning an ungraded turf-sprint stakes in early August at Ellis Park. The 4-year-old Into Mischief filly is trained by Brendan Walsh.

The Franklin County (race 9) directly follows a stakes-caliber allowance being contested by the likes of Hog Creek Hustle, Looking At Bikinis, Gray Magician, and Copper Town. A field of 12 goes in the $75,000 thirdlevel race at seven furlongs.

First post daily throughout the 17-day meet, which runs through Oct. 24, is 1:05 p.m. Eastern. The Franklin County goes at 5:30.

The Friday forecast calls for cloudy skies and a high of 77. Rain is on its way for the weekend.