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Stormy Kiss is an Honorable Miss Lael Stable's STORMY KISS (Arg) (Bernstein) grabbed the lead soon after the start of Friday's $150,000 Honorable Miss H. (G2) at Saratoga and was never headed en route to a neck victory in the six-furlong test. With Javier Castellano holding the reins, the Barclay Tagg-trained miss dueled with Miss Elsie (Golden Gear) early but had her firmly behind in midstretch. Appearing an easy winner at first, Stormy Kiss had to dig in to hold off the game late rush of Malibu Mint (Malibu Moon), who raced in last before coming fast in the middle of the track to just miss. The winner posted a final time of 1:10 2/5 over the fast track. "She's a sharp filly and quick out of the gate, but she actually stumbled the first jump," Castellano explained. "She made the lead easy, and turning for home, I had a lot of horse. I was worried about the 2 (Malibu Mint) and Johnny Velazquez (aboard Ever Elusive). But it wasn't Johnny's day today." Stormy Kiss was the 4-1 fourth choice in the wagering, returning $10, $4.80 and $3.60 to her faithful backers. Malibu Mint gave back $4.70 and $3.30 as the 7-2 third pick while Miss Elsie was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third, paying $3.40 at 8-1. The exotics were worth $52 (exacta) and $193.50 (5-2-6 trifecta). Grecian Lover (Friendly Lover), Ever Elusive (Forestry) and Reunited (Dixie Union) completed the order under the wire. Stormy Kiss made her U.S. debut, and her first start for Tagg, in late May, running fifth in the Sweet and Sassy H. She returned to easily take an allowance/optional claimer at Belmont before running a good third in the Genuine Risk Breeders' Cup H. (G2) prior to this one. The dark bay filly also owns a Group 1 and two Group 2 victories in Argentina, and moved her record to 10-7-0-2 with $198,477 in earnings. "I told Javier that things were pretty much up to him," Tagg said. "If she was willing to stalk, don't rush her up there. As soon as she stumbled, she was on the muscle and rushed right up there. She was nice and relaxed today and able to get the job done. I would like to run her here once more. I think seven furlongs or a mile; she could settle into that stride and stretch out without any problem." Bred in Argentina by La Biznaga, Stormy Kiss is out of the multiple Group 3-winning Shy Besada (Shy Tom), who is also the dam of multiple listed winner and multiple Group 2-placed Forty Besote (Roar). Tagg mentioned the Ballerina Breeders' Cup H. (G1) on August 27 as Stormy Kiss' next possible start.
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