It has been more than four years since Storm the Court upset the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita at 45-1 and the now 7-year-old has gone winless in 20 starts since.

Storm the Court has changed barns a few times, and his newest trainer, William Morey, has made a turf sprinter out of him. Though winless in three starts at five furlongs on turf, Storm the Court ran one of his best races last out when, after a terrible break from the gate, he rallied from last to finish second to Phantom Smoke in a second-level allowance.

Chop Chop and Flashy Gem both have followed Turfway-loving stablemate Botanical home in recent outings. The two don’t have to worry about that formidable filly, but must face each other, in the $125,000 Wintergreen Stakes, the Saturday night feature at the Florence, Ky., track.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – A three-time stakes winner going one mile against New York-breds in 2023, Dr Ardito looks to kick off 2024 in similar fashion when he heads a field of seven entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes at Aqueduct.

Dr Ardito, a 6-year-old gelding trained by Chad Brown for Michael Dubb and Michael Caruso, outfought the millionaire Bankit to win last year’s Haynesfield by a head. Later in 2023, he posted victories in the Evan Shipman at Saratoga and the Alex M. Robb at Aqueduct.

WHO’S HOT

Sierra Leone went from tepid favoritism on Derby Watch to clear-cut chalk following his solid comeback victory Feb. 17 in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. Sierra Leone’s price was trimmed from 12-1 to 8-1 by Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Real Macho figures to be one of the longer prices on the board going postward a week from Saturday in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. But that does not concern trainer Rohan Crichton, not after watching his still lightly raced but improving 3-year-old run down the prohibitive favorite Born Noble to win an entry-level allowance race going a mile at odds of 26-1 in his previous start.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Kenny McPeek never anticipated he would be training racehorses upon securing a double degree in business finance and accounting from the University of Kentucky back in the mid-80s.

But fast forward to Friday and the 61-year-old horseman enters the race week one win from 2,000 training victories. He also has a flourishing stable stacked with promising 3-year-olds like leading Kentucky Derby contender Mystik Dan, and training centers in Kentucky and Florida.

“It’s been an interesting journey,” said McPeek.

Timberlake

Colt by Into Mischief – Pin Up, by Lookin At Lucky

Bred in Kentucky by St. Elias Stables ($350,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Maverick Racing and Siena Farm)

Even as Japanese racehorses have ascended over the last decade, becoming the most powerful force in international competition, the race the Japanese most covet, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, has eluded them. In fact, a Japanese horse easily could win a Kentucky Derby before one wins an Arc. It could happen as soon as this year.

ARCADIA, Calif. – In this wet California winter, it is news when the Santa Anita main track opens for training. Even when it opens only partway.

The latest storm subsided midweek and Santa Anita reopened the track – joggers only – on Wednesday. The track was closed entirely Monday and Tuesday. During rain and track closures, the only exercise horses typically get is walking the shed row.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The best word to describe Tapatio Leo’s four straight wins heading into Friday’s ninth race at Oaklawn Park is simple.

“He’s hot,” said trainer Peter Miller.

The word also is a play on the horse’s name.

“Tapatio is a brand of hot sauce,” explained the trainer.

Friday’s race is a six-furlong conditioned allowance for 4-year-olds and up that figures to produce starters for the Grade 3 Whitmore here March 16. The field of seven includes stakes winners Ryvit, Excess Magic, Sir Wellington, Empire of Gold, and Devil’s Tower.