April 5, 2026
Harnessing some gale force winds at the juicy price of 21-1 on Saturday afternoon, Storm’s Wake made her late run a virtual weather event down the Keeneland turf course in the GII Appalachian Stakes, presented by the Japan Racing Association, and did not disappoint her breeder/owner William K. Werner as the filly earned the first graded win of her career.
“I didn’t have any idea [if she would get up in time],” said breeder/owner William Werner. “She was coming. Joel [Rosario] gave her a great ride and she did all she could and she did enough. It’s just so special [that I also bred her]. I don’t know what to say. This is the first filly that I bred that has won like this, so it’s unbelievable. I only breed five or six [a year] and buy a few too. This is very exciting. Thank you to Brian [Lynch] and everybody.”
Storm’s Wake is the latest Graded Stakes winner foaled & raised at Hidden Brook Farm in Paris, Kentucky.
Always entered on the grass, the dark bay began her career last August with a maiden win at Ellis Park, then she cleared an allowance race at Churchill Downs in late September.
Storm’s Wake tried to take down four stakes starting in late October at Gulfstream Park. Nemesis Sister Troienne bested her in the Ginger Brew Stakes Jan. 3 and in the Sweetest Chant Stakes Jan. 31. The Brian Lynch trainee was last seen running third in the GIII Herecomesthebride Stakes Feb. 28.
Shipping to Keeneland and serving as a longshot here, the homebred settle second last as a pair of fellow price horses carved out the early fractions. Jockey Joel Rosario did not move up the backstretch, but around the far turn the expert rider positioned his mount to make a run down the center of the course. Executing a well-timed ride inside the final sixteenth, Storm’s Wake signaled to Sister Troienne in passing and earned a trip to the Keeneland winner’s circle. Imaginationthelady was the runner-up.
“It [The turf] probably plays a lot into it,” said trainer Brian Lynch. “I just felt she was overlooked in the betting. I felt she ran really good her last out, only beaten three-quarters of a length to Sister Troienne [herself second by a head to Lion Lake (Ire) in the Herecomesthebride]. I thought she would appreciate the long stretch here and she got her chance.
“There was a bit of pace in front of her and it really set up well for a filly who could close from out of it,” he added. “I think she appreciated every step of the ground coming down the lane. We’ve always had a good feeling about this filly and she’s getting older and stronger and just maturing into racing. We’re thrilled to have her in the barn.”
-edited from www.thoroughbreddailynews.com