Got Stormy, a finalist for champion turf female in 2019, was one of 11 fillies and mares entered for the Powder Break Stakes May 16 at Gulfstream Park, one of three stakes races at the Florida track on Saturday.

A year ago, Got Stormy defeated males to win the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap in August at Saratoga and later was runner-up in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile. At first glance, the Powder Break looked like it might be an easy win for Got Stormy, but there are several intriguing runners who were entered that look capable of a serious challenge to the probable heavy favorite.

Continue reading for a capsule look at the full field for the Powder Break Stakes, which will be televised on TVG.

1. Noor Sahara (7-2 morning-line odds): Previous connections of this one thought highly enough of her to enter her in the 2019 French Oaks. Although 11^th that day, she was beaten by only four lengths. Noor Sahara joins powerful barn of Chad Brown and could be poised for a big season, but facing a star like Got Stormy off an eight-month layoff is a tall order. Intriguing …

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Chad Brown

2. Jakarta (20-1): Led from start to finish in a five-furlong sprint in her first try on grass March 18 and profiles as very likely the controlling speed in a race with several other front-running types. Stretching out to a mile for the first time is the big question. While her grass debut and overall 5-for-10 record are impressive, looking elsewhere in this spot give probable contested pace scenario. If race comes off turf because of rain, Jakarta becomes a win candidate.

JOCKEY: Edgard Zayas; TRAINER: Mike Maker

3. Bella Ciao (MTO) (4-1): Entered for main-track-only and would be formidable should rain wash this race off the grass and onto the main track. If that happens, she’ll probably be one of the favorites and offer little value.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Antonio Sano

4. Valedictorian (10-1): Six-year-old might be a step or two past her prime, but she’s historically been very good on the grass at Gulfstream and at this one-mile distance. Should rate just off the pace and get first jump approaching the stretch. A player at what should be a nice price.

JOCKEY: Joe Bravo; TRAINER: Kelly Breen

5. Silver Kitten (8-1): After an inconsistent first two years on the track, Silver Kitten has shown improvement as a 4-year-old with two wins and a second in a Grade 3 race in three starts in 2020. She is much tougher when allowed to dictate the pace but there should be several other runners vying for the early lead, which might hurt her chances. On the bright side, she can race close to a quick pace and still finish strongly. 

JOCKEY: Emisael Jaramillo; TRAINER: Danny Gargan

6. Great Sister Diane (20-1): Equibase Speed Figures indicate she can be competitive here at her best, but she’s unplaced in her last three. Looking elsewhere, but at least the price should be right on this one.

JOCKEY: Miguel Vasquez; TRAINER: Rohan Crichton

7. Valiance (6-1): Unbeaten in three starts with a win on this turf course, 4-year-old Tapit filly has the look of a budding star. On paper, Valiance does not look fast enough to beat Got Stormy and will be trying to do so after a layoff of more than 10 months, but trainer Todd Pletcher wins at 28% off a layoff of 180 days or longer. Her dam (mother) and grandam (maternal grandmother) both are Grade 1 winners.

JOCKEY: Nik Juarez; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

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8. Tapit Today (9-2): Finished a well-beaten third in Grade 3 Suwanee River Stakes behind Grade 1 winner Starship Jubilee, which is probably better than it looks on paper as she posted a career-top 103 Equibase Speed Figure. Not sure she’s fast enough to challenge Got Stormy, but worth a long look underneath for sure.

JOCKEY: Dylan Davis; TRAINER: Chad Brown

9. Goodbye Brockley (30-1): Halted a nine-race winless stretch with a victory in an off-the-turf allowance race April 18 at Gulfstream. Hard to view her as a serious factor here unless the race gets rained off the grass.

JOCKEY: Fanny Olsson; TRAINER: Phil Serpe

10. Got Stormy (9-5): Easily the class of the field, Got Stormy defeated males to win a Grade 1 race last August and ran second in both the Ricoh Woodbine Mile and the Breeders’ Cup Mile. She looked strong in her second start of the year when second by a neck against males in the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile March 7 at Santa Anita Park and has been working very well for her third start of 2020. She looks like a formidable heavy favorite dropping out of a Grade 1 for an ungraded stakes restricted to fillies and mares.

JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Mark Casse

11. W W Fitzy (20-1): This 4-year-old filly by Well Positioned is entered for her first start on grass in a very tough race with the outside post position and a short run into the first turn. Her lone stakes win to date came on a synthetic surface and she’s 7-for-13 lifetime, but I don’t think this race sets up well for her from a pace or post-position perspective against top competition.

JOCKEY: Marcos Meneses; TRAINER: Scott Becker

THE PICK: Got Stormy

LIVE LONGSHOT: Silver Kitten

SUPERFECTA: 10-5-1-4