By J.N. Campbell
Harnessing some gale force winds at the juicy price of 21-1 on Saturday afternoon, Storm's Wake (Oscar Performance) made her late run a virtual weather event down the Keeneland turf course in the GII Appalachian Stakes, presented by the Japan Racing Association, and did not disappoint her breeder/owner William K. Werner as the filly earned the first graded win of her career.
Always entered on the grass, the dark bay began her career last August with a maiden win at Ellis Park, then she cleared an allowance race at Churchill Downs in late September.
Storm's Wake tried to take down four stakes starting in late October at Gulfstream Park and the results were mixed. Nemesis Sister Troienne (Munnings) bested her in the Ginger Brew Stakes Jan. 3 and in the Sweetest Chant Stakes Jan. 31. The Brian Lynch trainee was last seen running third in the GIII Herecomesthebride Stakes Feb. 28.
Shipping to Keeneland and serving as a longshot here, the homebred settle second last as a pair of fellow price horses carved out the early fractions. Jockey Joel Rosario did not move up the backstretch, but around the far turn the expert rider positioned his mount to make a run down the center of the course. Executing a well-timed ride inside the final sixteenth, Storm's Wake signaled to Sister Troienne in passing and earned a trip to the Keeneland winner's circle. Imaginationthelady (Not This Time) was the runner-up.
“I didn't have any idea [if she would get up in time],” said breeder/owner William Werner. “She was coming. Joel [Rosario] gave her a great ride and she did all she could and she did enough. It's just so special [that I also bred her]. I don't know what to say. This is the first filly that I bred that has won like this, so it's unbelievable. I only breed five or six [a year] and buy a few too. This is very exciting. Thank you to Brian [Lynch] and everybody.”
“It [The turf] probably plays a lot into it,” said trainer Brian Lynch. “I just felt she was overlooked in the betting. I felt she ran really good her last out, only beaten three-quarters of a length to Sister Troienne [herself second by a head to Lion Lake (Ire) in the Herecomesthebride]. I thought she would appreciate the long stretch here and she got her chance.
“There was a bit of pace in front of her and it really set up well for a filly who could close from out of it,” he added. “I think she appreciated every step of the ground coming down the lane. We've always had a good feeling about this filly and she's getting older and stronger and just maturing into racing. We're thrilled to have her in the barn.”
Pedigree Notes:
Storm's Wake is the 10th graded winner for sire Oscar Performance (by Kitten's Joy) and the filly joins higher-level winning turf stars like Trikari and World Beater.
The first foal for her dam, the winner has a 2-year-old full-sister and a yearling full-brother. A half-sister to the dam of MSP Stolen Treasure (Nyquist), Amber Storm was bred to More Than Looks for the current term.
🌩️ 🌊 STORM'S WAKE ($45.36) from the clouds under @JRosarioJockey in the $500,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2) at @keenelandracing. @BLynchRacing conditions the Oscar Performance (@millridgefarm) filly.
Bet the next right here: https://t.co/crebR4OEDC pic.twitter.com/YYMAAIieZw
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 4, 2026
Saturday, Keeneland
APPALACHIAN S. PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION-GII, $490,625, Keeneland, 4-4, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:35.51, fm.
1–STORM'S WAKE, 118, f, 3, by Oscar Performance
1st Dam: Amber Storm (Ire), by Night of Thunder (Ire)
2nd Dam: Doregan (Ire), by Bahhare
3rd Dam: Indian Rain (Ity), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-William Werner (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch; J-Joel Rosario. $290,625. Lifetime Record: 7-3-0-2, $461,925. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Imaginationthelady, 120, f, 3, Not This Time–Romanticism, by War Front. ($300,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Mark Dobbin; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $93,750.
3–Lion Lake (Ire), 118, f, 3, Dark Angel (Ire)–Urjuwaan (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire). (€150,000 Ylg '24 GOFORY). O-Emcee Stable LLC; B-Camas Park, Lynch Bages & Summerhill (IRE); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $37,500.
Margins: NK, HD, NK. Odds: 21.68, 3.50, 8.43.
Also Ran: Just Aloof, Sister Troienne, Faithful Departed, To a Flame, Counterbalance, Spirit Doll, Alone Time. Scratched: Kokomotion.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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