Stormy Lord Looking at Knickerbocker

Multiple stakes-winning Ontario-bred Stormy Lord is under serious consideration for a start in Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Knickerbocker, trainer Ian Black confirmed by phone on Sunday.

“It’s 1 1/8 miles, and he likes some give in the ground,” said Black, who trains the 5-year-old Stormy Atlantic gelding for David Willmot. “I thought we might get both [at Belmont].”

Stormy Lord is also nominated for next Sunday’s Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine, his home track. The $1.5 million “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge race is contested at 1 ½ miles.

“I think there are a lot of Europeans coming in and at 1 ½ miles, it might not be ideal,” Black said. “I’ll have a better idea in a couple of days, but I think it’s better than 50/50 we’re coming your way.”

Stormy Lord exits a repeat win in the PTHA President’s Cup at Parx Racing, his first victory since taking last October’s Labeeb Stakes at Woodbine. The gelding was narrowly beaten in two starts at Woodbine prior to the PTHA President’s Cup – the Grade 2 Sky Classic and a turf allowance.

Overall, he has earned $1,153,686 and boasts a record of 9-7-1 from 27 starts, with six stakes wins including last year’s Grade 2 Connaught Cup at Woodbine.

On Sunday, he turned in an easy breeze over the turf training track at Woodbine, covering five furlongs in 1:01.20.

“He went well,” said Black. “Just breezing, happy to be out there.”

Black said that if he chooses to run Stormy Lord in the Knickerbocker, the gelding likely will ship to Belmont on Thursday.