Storm Changer bounces back to win $200K NYSSS Park Avenue
Peter Kazamias’ New York homebred Storm Changer split rivals late to capture her first stakes victory in Sunday’s $200,000 Park Avenue division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for eligible New York-sired sophomore fillies, at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Making her first start for trainer Carlos Martin in place of the suspended Dimitrios Synnefias, Storm Changer improved greatly from a last-out fifth in the local one-mile Maddie May on March 8. She earned her first victory against winners in her fourth attempt since a debut graduation in November here, with each of her previous efforts coming against state-bred company. In victory, Storm Changer became the first stakes winner for her sire Name Changer, who Kazamias stands at his Kaz Hill Farm in Middletown, N.Y.
Guided to victory by Jose Gomez, Storm Changer broke a step slow from post 4 and inched up to race in mid-pack as Howling Wind sprinted sharply to the front to lead the field of eight through the opening quarter-mile in 22.40 seconds over the muddy and sealed footing.
“There seemed like a lot of speed in the race,” Martin said. “I told him [Gomez] to let her settle and just finish. I knew if she finished, she’d have a chance.”
Post-time favorite Bam’s Bliss Kiss was angled around the pacesetter after breaking from the inside post and pressed to the outside through the turn as Forever to Go was asked for her best three-wide and the pair of Decree and Declare and Storm Changer were coaxed along to keep up with the topflight.
The half-mile elapsed in 46.37 and Howling Wind clung to a precarious lead at the top of the lane as Bam’s Bliss Kiss spun her wheels and Disco Star cut the corner under Dylan Davis to make an eye-catching move up the rail. Disco Star hit the clear approaching the eighth pole with the pacesetters fading well behind, but she was left to contend with the late turn-of-foot from a wide-running Storm Changer and even wider Princess Mischief, who broke poorly and had trailed early.
The stubborn Disco Star dug in gamely with her pursuers closing in with every stride, but Storm Changer, racing between her two rivals, proved to have the superior momentum to edge past Disco Star and fend off Princess Mischief by a half-length in a final time of 1:18.39.
Princess Mischief nosed out Disco Star for place with Decree and Declare rounding out the superfecta. Howling Wind, Bam’s Bliss Kiss, Royal Event and Forever to Go completed the order of finish. Fedupwiththefed and Last Y Legacy were scratched.
Storm Changer’s best previous stakes finish was a half-length second to Bernieandtherose in the February 8 East View here with Gomez in the irons. The Eclipse Award-winning rider, who was also aboard for Storm Changer’s debut maiden victory, said his mount likely relished the cutback in distance.
"Mr. Kazamias has confidence in me. She ran great first time out,” Gomez said. “Last time I rode her, it might have been a bit long for her, but Bernieandtherose is a pretty decent horse. After that [last race] they gave her to Mr. Martin and from then she’s been a different type of horse – she’s a lot more calm.”
Gomez added he was content with the trip he engineered and was not worried about being wide in the stretch.
“That was the game plan – just save some ground and everything has seemed to be running well in the middle of the racetrack,” Gomez said. “When it was time to go, I asked her, and she was there. They came running but she was much the best today.”
Martin said plans for Storm Changer’s next race are to be determined.
“Just trying to get back and make sure she cools out OK,” Martin said of his immediate plans. “I mean the great thing would be if they had these stallion races every couple weeks, but unfortunately, they are a little spread apart, but it is good to have a New York-bred sire and stallion, which is great. It is all good. It is all positive.”
Eric Cancel, aboard Princess Mischief for the first time in the afternoon, said the Chris Englehart trainee ran admirably in defeat.
“The filly broke a little bit slow. I was kind of expecting it, she’s a filly that comes from behind. I just let her do her thing,” Cancel said. “When I thought I was ready for her to start rolling, I angled her out and she did her job. She finished with a really nice kick. It was just unfortunate that the horse that won was able to hang on a little bit longer at the end, but I’m really happy with my filly’s performance.”
Storm Changer is out of the unraced Stormy Atlantic mare Stormin Sistas, a half-sister to dual stakes-winner Sirenusa. The bay filly banked $110,000 in victory while returning $27.80 on a $2 win ticket.
Live racing resumes Thursday at the Big A with an eight-race card. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.
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