Storm the Court working lights out for Hollywood Derby but faces tall task

Storm the Court is the only champion in Saturday’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar, the lone runner in the field who started in the Kentucky Derby in September, and the only horse among 13 entrants without a win this year.

Storm the Court was sixth, beaten nine lengths, by Authentic in the Kentucky Derby. Prior to that race, Storm the Court was second in the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds on turf at Del Mar in August, his best result in six starts this year, all in stakes.

Despite the disappointing race results, trainer Peter Eurton has seen positive signs in recent weeks. Storm the Court has had quick workouts on dirt at Santa Anita in the last month, including six furlongs in 1:11 on Nov. 14.

“His energy is incredibly different,” Eurton said on Wednesday. “He’s that fresh. In his works, he has been doing exceptionally well. He seems to have come out of the Derby in good order. Today, we could barely hold him on the ground.”

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Storm the Court is best known for an upset win at 45-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita in November 2019, a victory that propelled him to the title of champion 2-year-old male.

Owned by the partnership of Exline-Border Racing, David Bernsen, Dan Hudock, and Susanna Wilson, Storm the Court has won 2 of 10 starts and earned $1,310,451. He earned $1,172,951 in 2019, and has earnings of $137,500 this year.

Eurton will need Storm the Court to be in peak form to have any chance in the $300,000 Hollywood Derby, which is run at 1 1/8 miles on turf. The Hollywood Derby has drawn an outstanding field that includes Smooth Like Strait, the winner of the La Jolla Handicap and the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Oct. 18.

There is a formidable group of New York invaders led by Domestic Spending and Gufo, the first two finishers of the Saratoga Derby in August, and Get Smokin and Decorated Invader, the first two finishers of the Grade 2 Hill Prince Stakes at Belmont Park on Oct. 18.

Gufo later won the Grade 1 Belmont Derby on Oct. 3.