Neptune's Storm prevails in stretch duel to win San Francisco Mile

Dropping out of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile, Neptune’s Storm shipped north to Golden Gate Fields and just got past stubborn pacesetter Kiwi’s Dream in deep stretch to win the $250,000 San Francisco Mile (G3) on Sunday.

With local rider William Antongeorgi III taking over in the irons, Neptune’s Storm pressed pacesetter Kiwi’s Dream along the outside as that rival took the eight-horse field through moderate fractions of :23.97, :48.11 and 1:11.91 for six furlongs. Neptune’s Storm ranged up to even terms with Kiwi’s Dream at the top of the stretch and those two battled head-and-head to the wire with Neptune’s Storm ultimately prevailing by a head on the wire.

Trained by Richard Baltas, Neptune’s Storm completed one-mile on firm turf in 1:35.50 and paid $8.00 as the the 3-1 second-choice. Camino Del Paraiso was another 1 3/4-lengths back in third with 8/5 favorite Restrainedvengence completing the superfecta.

Neptune’s Storm, who won the Hill Prince (G2) at Belmont Park last fall, was exiting a seventh-place finish in the May 25 Shoemaker Mile in his seasonal bow when attending the pace before fading in the stretch. A $130,000 auction purchase as a juvenile, Neptune’s Storm is owned by CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Lynn Gitomer, Mike Goetz, Michael Nentwig and Daniel Weiner.

The 4-year-old gelding by Stormy Atlantic improves his record to 16 6-3-5 with earnings approaching $800,000.