Storm brewing at Yonkers

When last we saw Always A Stormin', he was doing good things by being forwardly-placed in the high-conditioned trotting ranks. However, his return Yonkers Raceway engagement in Friday night's $35,000 Open Handicap Trot came after a judges' scratch at Woodbine and a gate break at the Meadowlands.

So, one really couldn't second-guess the selectors for sending their wagering dollars elsewhere.

Even with the potent trainer-driver combo of Mark Ford and Stephane Bouchard, Always A Stormin--ordered to post position six--was dismissed at an even 9-1.

There was no idea of leaving the gate on this night, what with Med Vac (Jim Pantaleano) drawing the pole and using it. Med Vac found the quarter-mile in 29 seconds, with Saratoga invader Kiwi Demand N (Ron Cushing) in a loose pocket and last week's (27-1) upset winner Kaline (Steve Smith) parked for his troubles.

Med Vac reached intermission in :58.3 and three-quaters in 1:28.2. All the while. Always A Stormin' had caught the parked-out cover of Kaline, with eight-hole assignee--and 11-10 favorite--Lhasa Muscles (Pat Berry) looking at it from third-over.

Bouchard swung his charge into action passing the six-furlong station, then went up and over Med Vac in early stretch. Always A Stormin' rolled home, winning by 2 1/4 widening lengths in 1:57.3. Med Vac easily saved second, with Lhasa Muscles a well-beaten (five lengths) third.

Kaline and Delaware interloper Racsan Jenny (Vic Kirby) completed the cashers.

Always A Stormin', a 4-year-old Iowa-bred gelding--whose sire, Norm Storms, was a hard-hitting Yonkers' regular--is now five-for-seven this season for owner Martin Scharf. He returned $20, leading a $183.50 exacta and $486.50 triple.

"I was a bit concerned about (his last-race break), so I took hime off the gate," Bouchard said. "He felt really
good at the three-quarters, and I figured (Med Vac) would come back to me."

Bouchard figured correctly many times Friday night. Not even a power outage (lights surrounding the second turn) between Races eight and nine could stop him was completing his appointed rounds...and six winners on the 13-race card.

The co-featured $35,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace found Double Dream N (Tony Morgan) to be so tough in her local debut, an assigned eight-hole and being parked nearly half the race could not slow her down.

Sitting outside while Tactical Rain N (Pat Lachance) and Sweet Celebration (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) played leapfrog on the lead--and a :29.2 opening two furlongs--Double Dream N eventually wrested the big chair from her countrymate just before the :58-flat half-mile.

Patty Ben Beau (Bouchard) proved to be an immediate noodge, prompting first-over to the 1:26.3 three-quarters. The leader and challenger were virtually inseparable turning for home, but Double Dream N dug in. The classy lass prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:55.3. "Patty" held second, with Tactical Rein N, Sweet Celebration and Whambam N (Jim Marshall III) also part of the money grab.

Double Dream N, a 6-year-old Down Under daughter of Dream Away owned by Radmark Enterprises and trained by Ross Croghan, returned $3.70 for her sixth win--third in succession--in eight '07 tries. She led an $18.20 exacta and $47.20 triple.

Friday's frolics also included second-round action in the Petticoat Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old young ladies.

A quintet of $12.500 divisions went to the ball, with best-dressed honors--all escorted by Bouchard--going to:
--The Isle of Pan,3 (by Noble Ability); co-owners Stake Your Claim Stable, Wallace,Dadetta/trainer Linda Toscano; (life-best) 1:55.4/$20;
--Ladytrix,3 (by Western Ideal); co-owners Stake Your Claim Stable 4 & Linwood Higgins/trainer Toscano; 1:56.3/$3;
--Love Card,4 (by Sealed N Delivered); co-owners Michael Kessler & David Van Slyke/trainer Jean Drolet; (life-best) 1:56.2/$8.40;
--Monte Carlo Madam,4 (by Camluck) owner Horseman's Financial Agency/trainer Matt Medeiros; (match life-best) 1:56.1/$6.40;
--Julie's Operator,4 (by Armbro Operative); owner Aaron Waxman/trainer Steve Elliott; 1:57.2/$6.40.

Ladytrix, who won the fiilly final of the Hopeful Pacing Series, now has five consecutive victories. (Yonkers)

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