Neptune’s Storm Back on Top in San Francisco Mile

BERKELEY, CA – Trainer Richard Baltas’ Neptune’s Storm dueled gamely in the stretch with Kiwi’s Dream before coming out on top to win Sunday’s $250,000 San Francisco Mile Stakes (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.

Sent from post 7 as the 3/1 second choice under William Antongeorgi III, Neptune’s Storm was forwardly-placed heading into the clubhouse turn. He soon ranged up to apply light pressure to Kiwi’s Dream, the pacesetter who posted opening fractions of :23.97, :48.11, and 1:11.91.

Neptune’s Storm made his bid at the top of the stretch, but Kiwi’s Dream had plenty left and fought back. The two raced heads apart as they pulled away from the field, neither giving an inch, but the classy Neptune’s Storm dug in gamest of all to put his head down first.

The two completed the mile-long firm turf route in a final time of 1:35.50.

Camino Del Paraiso saved ground while stalking from third, a position he kept to himself the entire way around the grass oval. The 8/5 favorite Restrainedvengence tried circling the field in the far turn but could only muster a fourth-place finish.

Arch Prince was a nose and a neck ahead of Majestic Eagle and Simply Breathless, respectively, for fifth. Murad Khan trailed throughout before completing the order of finish in the eight-horse feature event.

Neptune’s Storm’s win was his first of the year and his second at the graded stakes level, having conquered the Hill Prince Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park last October. The 4-year-old Stormy Atlantic gelding has now earned $788,085 for co-owners CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Lynn Gitomer, Mike Goetz, Michael Nentwig, and Daniel Weiner.

Neptune’s Storm returned $8 to win, $4.40 to place, and $3.20 to show. Kiwi’s Dream brought back $7.80 to place and $5.40 to show, while Camino Del Paraiso paid $7 to show.