Storm Flag Flying Gearing Up for Return

Trainer Shug McGaughy is on the lookout for a race for champion Storm Flag Flying following some positive workouts at Palm Beach Downs. Storm Flag Flying ended her juvenile season undefeated, but growing pains and minor ailments held back her 3-year-old season.

"Her owner (Ogden Mills Phipps) remembers when she was a 2-year-old and how crazy she could be," the trainer said. "She settled down a whole lot last spring. I think he'd kind of like her back to the way she was the first time around."

Storm Flag Flying has been flying under the radar at Palm Beach Downs -- well away from the majority of McGaughey's string in South Florida. Her Tuesday workout was a strong half-mile breeze in :48 4/5 that was easily faster than the four younger horses that also posted works that morning.

"It was a good work," McGaughey said. "We'll try to find an allowance race now. I hope she's back to where she was two years ago. She's worked so well up there. We'll just have to see."

McGaughey said he wasn't overly disappointed with Storm Flag Flying's younger half-brother, Leading the Parade, and his fourth-place finish in a 3-year-old maiden race last Saturday.

"The light is going to go off with him soon," McGaughey said. "The track was a little dry early on the card that day and he might not have liked that. We're disappointed he didn't run a little better, but he did all right."