Keeneland saw a perfectly-named winner splash home through sloppy conditions Friday as Storm Cloud Rising lived up to her moniker with a dominant maiden special weight victory.
The 2-year-old filly by Runhappy drew clear to win by five lengths in the second race, which was originally scheduled for turf but was moved to the main track due to rain. The surface switch proved advantageous for Storm Cloud Rising, who had previous experience over a muddy track.
Storm Cloud Rising entered as a 20-1 morning line selection but was bet down to 3-1 by post time. Breaking from the outside post, she dueled early with first-time starter Mother of Pearl through an opening quarter in :22.75 before drawing away impressively in the stretch.
The winning filly completed the 4 1/2 furlongs in :52.62 over the sloppy surface.
Diva Calling (Dialed In) rallied for second, with Mother of Pearl (Tom’s d’Etat) holding third.
Storm Cloud Rising had finished third in her debut over the same course and distance on April 11. Friday’s victory pushed her career earnings to $61,560 from two starts.
Bred and owned by Bryan M. Carney, Storm Cloud Rising is trained by Jesus Esquivel. She comes from productive bloodlines as her dam Demigoddess (First Dude) has already produced stakes-placed Prince of Power ($176,513) and another winner in She’s Jersey Tuff — both full siblings to Storm Cloud Rising.
Demigoddess, who was stakes-placed herself with earnings of $150,840, has a yearling colt by Vekoma but was reported barren to that same stallion this season.
(12) Storm Cloud Rising powers down the stretch in race 2! (10) Diva Calling follows in second and (7) Mother of Pearl takes third. pic.twitter.com/Mp2b4ZtHcW
— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing)
(12) Storm Cloud Rising powers down the stretch in race 2! (10) Diva Calling follows in second and (7) Mother of Pearl takes third. pic.twitter.com/Mp2b4ZtHcW
— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 25, 2025
