BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Claimed three times over the winter at Tampa Bay Downs, Florida-bred Sophia’s Storm is now undefeated in two starts at Assiniboia Downs with her two-and-three-quarters-length victory in the US$18,181 Red Berrry overnight stakes Wednesday night. The Red Berry saw six fillies and mares, 3-years-old and older, go five furlongs on the dirt.

Trainer Steve Keplin Jr. snagged Sophia’s Storm for $8,000 out of a second-place finish to Sandpiper Memories at Tampa Bay Downs on April 12, then won a conditioned $17,000 optional claiming with the Florida-bred mare on May 21 going five-and-a-half furlongs at Assiniboia.

Wednesday night, Sophia’s Storm raced two-and-a-half lengths behind the front-running duo of Halfinthewrapper and Secret Glenda before jockey Sven Balroop took her four-wide on the turn to take the lead. She dew off in the stretch, winning by nearly three lengths in 1:00.27 on the fast track. Florida-bred Sherlyn Go Go came from last to get second and complete the Sunshine State exactor, more than five lengths clear of Mechanic Susie in third. Kate’s Princess, Halfinthewrapper and Secret Glenda completed the order of finish.

Sophia Storm paid $2.80 to win and the $1 exactor with the two Florida-breds returned $7.15.

Owned by Arnason Farms, Parker Wallette and James Keplin, Sophia’s Storm has now won 11 of 39 starts with seven seconds and three thirds with earnings of $250,577.

She is by Handsome Mike out of Sophia’s Pride, by Pleasant Tap and was bred in Florida by Ruben Sierra’s Just for Fun Stable Inc., in Southwest Ranches, Fla.

Return to the June 5 issue of Wire to Wire