Santa Anita news: Storm the Court to work with ‘lots of options’ – Horse Racing Nation

Storm the Court, upset winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at odds of nearly 46-1, is scheduled to have his first workout Sunday since that race, which thrust him into the mix for the Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Male.

“He’ll probably work four furlongs,” said Peter Eurton, who trains the bay son of Court Vision.

Depending on weather in the coming weeks, Storm the Court could embark on the 2020 Kentucky Derby trail in February or March. Eurton previously mentioned the Robert B. Lewis (G3) on Feb. 1 as a starting point, but rain in southern California could delay the colt’s return.

With the division seemingly wide open, Eurton and his connections are optimistic about the colt’s chances of first being named champion when honors are announced at the 49th Eclipse Awards dinner Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park.

“We’re hoping for the best, plus all the horses that came out of the Juvenile have done well,” Eurton said. “We’re going to show up for the awards, enjoy the day and hope things go our way.

“Right now it looks like he’s going to start back (to the races) in February, but if he doesn’t make it because of the weather, we’ll wait until March. We have lots of options.”

BAFFERT SENDS OUT TWO IN BID TO UPSET OMAHA BEACH

Trainer Bob Baffert will his fourth victory in the prestigious Malibu Stakes (G1) on opening Thursday when he sends out Much Better and Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Roadster.

The two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer is first to admit he’ll have to beat Omaha Beach to get the money, even though both of his runners have shown an affinity for the seven-furlong distance.

“I’d be OK with them going seven-eighths if Omaha Beach wasn’t in there,” said Baffert, who won the 2018 Malibu with McKinzie. “A horse that looks good too is Complexity,” a Grade 1 winner from the Chad Brown barn who returned to win an allowance race last month at Aqueduct.

ROSARIO EYES BACK-TO-BACK SAN ANTONIO WINS

Joel Rosario looking to repeat on Gift Box in the San Antonio Stakes (G2) when he rides the 6-year-old for John Sadler opening day. Gift Box worked five furlongs Friday in 1:00.20.

Rosario won the event last year, then followed with a nose triumph over McKinzie in a thrilling renewal of the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Agent Ron Anderson also has Rosario booked on Mother Mother in the La Brea Stakes and Mucho Unusual in the Lady of Shamrock Stakes on opening day, plus Encoder in the Eddie Logan Stakes on Friday.