Stormy Regatta noses out Partisan Politics in Riskaverse Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Stormy Regatta was put into a nice stalking position early by Irad Ortiz Jr. and had just enough in the stretch to score a nose decision over 4-5 favorite Partisan Politics in the $100,000 Riskaverse Stakes at Saratoga on Thursday.

Stormy Regatta, trained by Christophe Clement, paid $13.40 as the second choice in the eight-horse field of 3-year-old fillies. She covered a mile over firm turf in 1:37.73. Greywalls set a controlled pace of 24.77 and 49.20 seconds while being tracked by Lolo Beaux and Bugle. Stormy Regatta, who was three wide entering the clubhouse turn, fell in behind that trio. After six furlongs in 1:13.92, Ortiz swung Stormy Regatta outside horses entering the stretch and she fought on doggedly to take the lead in deep stretch outside Lolo Beaux, who came up the inside to gain a narrow lead in the final sixteenth.

Partisan Politics, who was taken outside the winner in upper stretch, rallied willingly but just missed. Lolo Beaux finished third, a neck behind Partisan Politics and 1 1/4 lengths in front of fourth-place My Cara Mia, who threw her head while racing against the bit several strides after the start. The Riskaverse was the second straight victory for Stormy Regatta, who in her prior start won the Little Silver Stakes at Monmouth Park. She is now 4 for 6 in her career with earnings of $144,200. "She was closer to the pace today," Clement sad. "She's a bit of a grinder but she was very game in the stretch. She seems to be improving all the time."

Early pacesetter Greywalls tired to finish fifth. All in Fun, the 6-1 third choice, broke a half-step slow and never reached serious contention. Rainha Da Bateria lugged out in the stretch to finish far out in the course.