Storm's Darling made amends for a subpar performance last month by rallying to her first career stakes victory in the $75,000 Chou Croute Handicap Sunday at Fair Grounds Race Course.Ridden by Eddie Martin Jr., the typically front-running Storm's Darling instead stalked Chou Croute pacesetter Freei down the backside and emerged with a three wide move to challenge 5-2 favorite Spectacular Lisa in the stretch, pulling off to a 6 1/4-length victory. The time was 1:44 1/5 for the 1 1/16-mile event for older fillies and mares.Spectacular Lisa finished willingly to salvage the place spot, finishing a neck in front of longshot Oneofacat in the field of eight. Storm's Darling paid $9.60 to win.
Trained by Bobby Barnett, Storm's Darling was ultra-impressive winning a local allowance on January 7 by 11 1/2 lengths over Spectacular Lisa, but came back in the Truly Bound Handicap two weeks later to finish a well-beaten fourth as the 6-5 favorite. A 4-year-old daughter of Storm Boot, Storm's Darling earned $45,000 for the victory, boosting her career earnings to $251,444 for owner Arthur Vogel.(Chart, Equibase)
