Storm the Court

Exline-Border Racing, David Bernsen, Susanna Wilson and Dan Hudock’s Storm the Court made Breeders’ Cup history when he won the 2019 TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 45-1, becoming the highest priced Juvenile winner in the 36-year history of the World Championships. Trained by Peter Eurton and ridden by Flavien Prat, Storm the Court fought off a stretch-long bid from Anneau d’Or to post a neck victory to highlight Future Stars Friday on the opening day of the 36th Breeders’ Cup.

Storm the Court, a bay Kentucky-bred son of 2011 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Court Vision out of the Tejano Run mare My Tejana Storm, paid 93.80 to win.

When asked in the winner’s circle how he was feeling seeing Storm the Court fighting to hold onto the lead in deep stretch, co-owner Justin Border replied, “having a minor stroke.”

Fortunately Storm the Court was composed throughout.

Still, drama began early in the 2019 Juvenile as the complexion of the race changed right from the start as odds-on favorite Dennis’ Moment stumbled leaving the gate and trailed the field of eight. Storm the Court took the lead with Eight Rings and Anneau d’Or in closest pursuit.

Storm the Court maintained a narrow advantage, but at the head of the lane Anneau d’Or ranged up alongside the leader and the battle was on. Storm the Court never let Anneau d’Or by and gutted out the neck victory. It was 3 ¼ lengths back to Wrecking Crew who finished another 4 ½ lengths in front of Scabbard. Full Flat, Eight Rings, Shoplifted and Dennis’ Moment completed the field in order.

Storm the Court covered the 1 1/16 miles on a fast main track in 1:44.93. The victory was his second in four starts. He came into the Juvenile off a third-place finish in the Grade 1, 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 27, finishing more than eight lengths behind race winner Eight Rings, who finished sixth in the Juvenile as the 5-2 second choice.

This was the second Breeders’ Cup win for the Exline-Border ownership team, who captured the 2016 Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita with 33-1 Champagne Room.

“It’s just so special to do this for this for Exline-Border, they’ve been so supportive through the years,” said Eurton. “They had a bit of a ‘Champagne Room minute,’ so they had a taste of it here. (Bloodstock Agent) Marette Farrell just does such an awesome job buying horses. It just means a lot: my family, my daughter, my wife, my home.” 

“I got to ride him the entire race today,” said Prat.  “I wanted to be on the lead today.  He relaxed for me nicely.  I think the blinkers helped him a lot.  He really battled all through the stretch.  I always thought he was going to win.”