Rosario Named to Ride Storm the Court in San Felipe
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Storm the Court has been ridden by jockey Flavien Prat in all five of his races
Trainer Peter Eurton said March 1 that juvenile champion Storm the Court "will probably stay here" at Santa Anita Park for his next start in the March 7 San Felipe Stakes (G2). With regular jockey Flavien Prat opting to ride undefeated Thousand Words in the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race, Eurton has engaged Joel Rosario to pilot Storm the Court.
Eurton was mulling both the San Felipe and the March 14 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park for the son of Court Vision , who finished fourth in the Feb. 9 San Vicente Stakes (G2), his 3-year-old debut.
Prat has been the only jockey to race Storm the Court throughout the colt's five starts, which includes a 45-1 victory in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). He has also been the only rider to guide Bob Baffert-trained Thousand Words, winning the Dec. 7 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and Feb. 1 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) aboard that mount.
David Bernsen, Exline-Border Racing, Dan Hudock, and Susanna Wilson's Storm the Court tuned up for the upcoming start with a bullet five-furlong work in :59 2/5 Saturday at Santa Anita. The move was the fastest of 61 at the distance.
"Rosario wasn't able to work him for me yesterday," Eurton said, "but Umberto (Rispoli) worked him for me. I was very pleased with it. He couldn't look any better. This is his second race back, and we've still got another two months (before the May 2 Kentucky Derby)."
Storm the Court has 22 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) qualifying points and is ranked fifth on the leaderboard. There are a total of 85 points up for grabs in the San Felipe—50-20-10-5 to the top four finishers—"and everybody needs them," Eurton said.
The San Felipe, a leading steppingstone to the April 4 Santa Anita Derby (G1), is one of five attractive events Saturday at the Southern California track, which include the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) for older horses, the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T), San Carlos Stakes (G2), and China Doll Stakes.
Entries for the San Felipe and other Saturday races will be taken Wednesday. Early San Felipe probables include Sham Stakes (G3) winner Authentic, California Cup Derby winner and San Vicente third Fast Enough, maiden winner Honor A. P., Storm the Court, and Thousand Words. Honor A. P. worked five furlongs Sunday in 1:01 4/5 at Santa Anita for trainer John Shirreffs.
CRK Stable's Midcourt, winner of five of seven starts under trainer John Shirreffs, worked five furlongs Sunday morning in 1:01 2/5 in his last major drill for the Santa Anita Handicap. Regular rider Victor Espinoza was aboard the 5-year-old Midnight Lute gelding who most recently captured the Feb. 1 San Pasqual Stakes (G2).
Other probables for the 84th edition of the Big 'Cap include Combatant, Endorsed, last year's winner Gift Box, and Two Thirty Five. Combatant worked five furlongs this morning in a bullet 1:00 flat for John Sadler.