Primal Storm Dominates Flash Stakes

(from Belmont Park report)
Keith Asmussen's Primal Storm dominated a field of 2-year-olds to win Friday's $106,300 Flash Stakes (gr. III) at five furlongs at Belmont Park.

The Storm Boot colt, trained by Steve Asmussen, had to wait until stewards sorted out a bumping incident in the backstretch before declaring his victory to be official.

Off as the 4-5 post-time favorite in his second career start, Primal Storm took jockey Shane Sellers to the lead and was never seriously challenged as he drew away for a seven-length victory in :57 2/5. He completed the the first quarter mile in :22 and the second in :22 4/5.

James Cassels, who owns the colt in partnership with Keith Asmussen, said Primal Storm was one of eight horses they bought for pinhooking. His price was $42,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale last year.

"We sold six and kept two and this is one of the ones we kept. As soon as he started breaking, we said, `We're not going to put this one in any of the sales.' He can motor. We're definitely excited. He eats well, he's easy going and he's just a lovable horse to be around."

Sellers likes him, too.

"He broke well, like all of (Asmussen's) babies do," Sellers said. "We ran right into that turn, and I guess Edgar (Prado, aboard Winning Expression) wanted to get in there, but I had to hold my ground and we got a little tight. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to ride these kind of horses. All we wanted to do was stay off the rail."

Everest Stable bred the winner, who is out of the Stalwart mare Primistal, in Kentucky.

He won his only other start, a 4 1/2-furlong maiden dash at Churchill Downs on April 29.

Primal Storm returned $3.60, $2.60 and $2.10. Winning Expression returned $3.70 and $2.70. Gold Joy was $2.90 to show. Departing Now and Dubleo trailed.

(Chart, Equibase)