Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 3, 1990 TAG: 9005030034
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOUISVILLE, KY. LENGTH: Medium
By any name, the colt is a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
The colt's name is based on that of his sire, Storm Bird. Thunder Bolt, Stormy Weather and Storm Cloud were rejected by the Jockey Club because they already were being used. For a time in February it looked as if Summer Squall's name would not be heard at the track again, despite his 5-0 career record.
After recovering from a hairline fracture of the right-front cannon bone that ended his unbeaten season as a 2-year-old, Summer Squall bled during a workout Feb. 15 at Gulfstream Park.
"It wasn't a trickle," said Cot Campbell, president of Dogwood Stable. "There had never been any indication of bleeding before. It was a fluky thing."
Campbell and trainer Neil Howard said they thought the bleeding might have been the result of a fungus or bacteria.
"He was one of 35 horses who bled during a 10-day period in Florida," Campbell said.
Veterinarians gave the OK for Summer Squall to start in the seven-furlong Swale on March 17 at Gulfstream. The colt finished second, a length behind top sprinter Housebuster. Campbell said it "might have been his best race, given the circumstances."
Two weeks later, Summer Squall won the Jim Beam at Turfway Park, and two weeks after that he won the Bluegrass at Keeneland. Both races were run at 1[ miles on a muddy surface.
"I had a little tight campaign, but I had to grab what was available," Howard said of Summer Squall's three races in six weeks.
Now comes the 1/4-mile Derby, and Summer Squall figures to be no worse than the second betting choice behind unbeaten Mister Frisky, winner of all 16 of his starts. Mister Frisky's four races this year were spread over 13 weeks.
"Summer Squall is the horse to beat," said Ron McAnally, who trains Arkansas Derby winner Silver Ending.
Seventeen 3-year-olds are expected to be entered today, and that make the 116th Derby worth $786,000, with $611,000 going to the winner.
"If we don't have bad luck, I have great confidence he'll run well," Campbell said of Summer Squall after a workout Wednesday.
Pat Day, who will ride Summer Squall in the Derby, was present Wednesday, but exercise rider Robert Vickers was in the irons when the colt worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:12 and galloped three quarters in 1:16 3/5.
It was the first half-mile, however, that was the most impressive. After Summer Squall had gone the half-mile, Vickers stood in the irons after another 50 yards and the colt galloped out strongly.
"We were looking for anything on the underside of 49 seconds," Howard said. "It got his blood pumping. He looks good. He's eating good. He's training good."
The colt will race on the diuretic Lasix, as he did in his first three starts this year. "This isn't the time to take him off Lasix," said Campbell, who put together the partnership that owns Summer Squall.
There are 28 individuals who own 40 shares at $55,900 a share. One of the shareholders is Will Farish III, who sold Summer Squall for $300,000 at the Keeneland July Select Yearling Sale in 1987.
Keywords:
HORSE RACING
by CNB