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Sim Trainer Stats Sim Race Stats |
STORM DOG Owner/Trainer: amandas Record: 37-22-4-5; $4,328,870
Win: Breeders Bowl Mile-G1(x2), Triangular Star-G3, Appalooza-G3, The 1000 Guineas-G1, Cremation Stakes-G1, Pioneer Boulevard Cup-G2, Sun State Cup-G1, Tai-Bo Stakes-G3, Ugly Breeders Bowl Distaff-G1, Independence Day BB Stakes-G2, Queen Ascot Stakes-G1, Shawnee River Handicap-G3, Adelaide Mile-G2, Red Bird Handicap-G3. Place: Del Webb Oaks-G1, Palms Outward Stakes-G3. Show: Omnipotent Juvenile-G3, Sexy Muffins Classic-G1, Good Vista Handicap-G3. Storm Dog is arguably the greatest horse ever in Sim history. Of all 15 Hall Of Fame inductees, she is the only one whose career totally and perfectly matches her legend. Charisma, longevity, drama, invincibility, dominance, talent, and more. All exclusively combined in this royal bred daughter of Storm Cat. Her story is so special to the history of the game. Storm Dog's real story begins with her sensational victory in the 1,000 Guineas(G1). Trainer Sls had let it be known to the Sim community that he purposely bred Storm Dog with the Guineas' mile in mind. Shane (Sls/Amandas) was from Britain and he wanted to win the Sim's equivalent of his country's time-honored classic. The filly did start out her career average enough as a two year old. She was a springtime foal in 2001 and it took her a few starts to break her maiden. By the end of the year, Storm Dog was a stakes winner and even carried a three-race win streak into the Guineas. The 2002 1,000 Guineassaw the birth of a new talent. Her convincing victory sizzled in just under 1:35 flat. It was just the beginning of many supremely swift performances over her beloved grass mile. Slowly, steadily, Storm Dog gained Sim fans too -- they delighted in her sweeping midpack running style and the way she gobbled up grades in near picture perfect fashion. They grew suspect when she lost that summer when stretched to nine furlongs, but were quickly renewed when she trounced the miler Sun State Cup(G1) by 5 1/2 lengths. Most of all, they applauded her trainer's patience. Shane planned Storm Dog's races carefully. Her campaign mimiced real-life, almost overly patient in a gaming atmosphere. It was no "on the fly," cobbled up campaign. This one had a scripted purpose and it was followed to the letter. Sun State(G1) triumph was Storm Dog's prep race for the Breeders Bowl Mile. The filly went off as a mild longshot on BB day. Popular Ray Of Pye and the gorgeous miler Volotile Nijinsky were amongst the starters. The race ended in a splendid blanket finish, and, of course, Storm Dog from midpack came out a length on top. Her victory was the talk of the day -- finally, a filly conquered the boys in the Breeders Bowl. She did it in 1:33 4/5, cracking the barrier to beat males. There is nothing more sweetly dramatic to a racing fan than to see "filly liberation." Defying general wisdom, Storm Dog made it happen. And she was only a three year old too! Storm Dog defied the odds again come 2002 Sim Eclipse Award time. She swept the honors, garnering champion 3YO filly and champion turf mare titles in addition to becoming the first female to capture Sim Horse Of The Year. She raised the bar in HOY history too, magically elevating the title with her "near perfect" 8-for-9 season. She was also the first player homebred to win the award. At this point, Shane's filly demonstrated superior talent and near invincible perfection. As a 4YO, Storm Dog added glorious dominance and over-the-top drama to her legend. The filly lost a couple at first (due to a lengthy post-Breeders Bowl layoff), but then reeled off six victories from seven graded outings, tossing only one clinker in a 1:33 4/5 start against males. She entered the 2003 Breeders Bowl Mile after posting two straight miles at 1:34 flat. Wickedly fast times, but could she get to 1:33 and change again to beat the boys? Storm Dog rallied in time to better her BB Mile mark to 1:33 2/5. It was superb drama -- the first horse to win two Breeders Bowl races. There was no doubt afterwards -- she was one of the greatest horses ever in Sim history. Storm Dog picked up 2003 Sim Eclipse Awards for champion older mare and champion turf mare (at the time, joining Joe Cayenne as the only Sim horses to win consecutive awards in the same division). Unfortunately, the Sim was so starstuck with I Seek U's Triple Crown sweep, that she lost a 2nd Horse Of The Year title. Though she didn't win a Grade 1 race the following year as a five year old, Storm Dog continued to factor into the graded level. The mare added another 1:33 4/5 victory (Adelaide Mile(G2)) and even beat males again. Her longevity persisted around the swift 1:34 miler mark. The filly's charismatic celebrity topped everyone's lists -- it was a sad day when the "living legend" missed her 3rd straight Breeders Bowl due to injury. She retired two starts later with a 22-of-37 lifetime record and 8 Grade 1 victories. All of this, wrapped up in the perfect package of a grand racemare. Storm Dog was our desire for something purely great. Her character symbolizes the Sim ideal of "near perfection." Someday, another sweetheart filly will duplicate and maybe surpass much of her dramatic career. And another horse will come along, perhaps scaling the idyllic perfection mark. But we'll always remember the first "near perfect" great champion. The one whose timeless legend truly lives up to a magnificent career. She was the real deal, a genuine Sim household name and a resonating story for the ages. So when you show your promising colt or filly to a fellow player and that player replies to you, "Wow! Maybe you've got the next Storm Dog!" Consider it a supreme accolade. You got a good one, but an uphill battle awaits. The horse has a lot to live up to. |
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