Storm Flag Flying to Return at Gulfstream Park

Ogden Mills Phipps' Storm Flag Flying, the champion juvenile filly of 2002 who made only two starts last year, returns to the races at Gulfstream Park Feb. 26 in a field of seven fillies and mares in the $46,000 allowance/optional claiming feature at one mile and 70 yards.

Trainer Shug McGaughey has been preparing the 4-year-old filly by Storm Cat -- My Flag, by Easy Goer at Palm Beach Downs. Storm Flag Flying has been working sharply in recent weeks, and regular rider John Velazquez has the mount.

Storm Flag Flying was unbeaten in four starts at two. She won three straight grade 1 events--the Matron and Frizette in New York, and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Arlington Park.

She developed problems at three, and McGaughey didn't get her to the races last year until April 18, when she ran second in the Comely Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct. Her final start of the year came in the June 6 Acorn Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont in which she finished sixth of seven.

The allowance condition is for horses that haven't won $18,000 twice other than maiden, claiming, or starter at mile or over since Sept. 30, 2003. The optional claiming price is $100,000.

Here's the field, with jockeys and weights:

1 Doc's Doll Jose Santos 119 pounds
2 Gentille Alouette Roger Velez 115
3 Redoubled Miss Eibar Coa 119
4 Saintly Action Jerry Bailey 115
5 Keiai Sakura Manoel Cruz 115
6 Artist Johanna Edgar Prado 119
7 Storm Flag Flying John Velazquez 115

Post time for the feature, the eighth of nine races, is 4:52 p.m. EST.