Godolphin Purchases Atomic Rain

The Godolphin shopping spree continued July 21 with the purchase of Long Branch Stakes winner Atomic Rain from George and Lori Hall. There are no immediate plans for the son of Smart Strike  , who had been pointing for the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) Aug. 2.

“We have purchased Atomic Rain to race in Dubai this winter, but we will make a decision shortly with regard to his more immediate future,” said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

Prior to his 4 3/4-length score in the Long Branch, Atomic Rain finished fourth in the Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct and was runner-up to Old Fashioned in the 1 1/8-mile Remsen Stakes (gr. II), coming off a maiden victory at five furlongs.

Atomic Rain previously was trained by Kelly Breen. The Halls had already sold another of their top 3-year-olds, West Side Bernie, runner-up in the Wood Memorial, to Godolphin earlier this year.

Two other Godolphin purchases, Vineyard Haven and Midshipman, are back working at Belmont Park following layoffs.