By Alan Carasso
Following a spin around the Sha Tin turf track and a third visit to the parade ring, GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Stormy Liberal (Stormy Atlantic) is as ready as he can be for Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. As much as the team at Rockingham Ranch are focused on those 70 seconds or so, there are issues of far greater importance back at home, where several Rockingham-owned runners remained missing in the aftermath of the wildfire which tore through trainer Peter Miller's base at San Luis Rey Downs.
A clearly emotional Brian Trump, Rockingham's racing manager, accepted well wishes from both American and international media members and before updating on the situation back home, reflected on Sunday's race.
“We feel very confident about the horse, he looks great,” Trump said. “He's definitely settled in nicely, he's eating all his feed and he seems to have taken nicely to the turf. It's pretty firm and he likes a firm track, so we're really excited to see what he can do.”
Stormy Liberal's task was made that much more difficult when drawing gate 11 Thursday, but Trump is set to play the hand they've been dealt.
“We're hoping for a nice fast pace and to tuck in and at that point, [jockey Silvestre] de Sousa is going to give him one shot at it. I think he'll be in a good spot. I am not as concerned as I originally was.”
As relates the wildfire, Trump had at least a bit of a positive report.
“It appears that the majority of our horses have been accounted for,” he reported. “There are still a few that have not been accounted for, but [trainer] Peter [Miller] and his wife are out there doing everything they can to find these horses. We are so thankful for everyone that has come together as a community to help us as well as the other horses that were affected at [San Luis Rey Downs].”
The events of the last 48 hours have hit hard.
“From an ownership standpoint, I go down weekly to see these horses and I develop a bond with them,” he said. “They each have their own personality, it's not just a horse–it's a person. I can't imagine what the grooms are going through, who see them every day. It's definitely an emotional attachment.”
Even though his mind and heart are an ocean away, Trump is grateful for the opportunity to accompany Stormy Liberal to Hong Kong.
“It's amazing for us to be here with this horse,” he said. “Stormy is a great horse. The people here have been amazing. The hospitality is unmatched and we are very thankful to the Hong Kong Jockey Club for providing a fantastic experience.”
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