Storm the Court among those chasing Kentucky Derby points in Ohio Derby

Jun 24, 2020 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

With the Kentucky Derby now set for Sept. 5, Saturday’s $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) presented by TwinSpires has been added as a qualifier. Champion 2-year-old male Storm the Court tops a field of 15, including an also-eligible, in the 1 1/8-mile race at Thistledown.

A total of 34 points (20-8-4-2 scale) will be offered as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.

Storm the Court is listed as the 3-1 morning line favorite. Regular rider Flavien Prat will be in to ride the bay colt, who is based in California with Peter Eurton, and the son of Court Vision likes to race up close to the pace. Winner of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita, Storm the Court will try to rebound from a sixth in the May 2 Arkansas Derby (G1) last out.

Lebda, a multiple stakes winner in Maryland earlier this year, is the 7-2 second choice. Alex Cintron has the call for Claudio Gonzalez. A couple of contenders, last-out Churchill Downs allowance scorer Sprawl and stakes winner Soros, will make their first start in a graded stakes.

Steve Asmussen has a pair of runners. Multiple stakes victor Rowdy Yates will make his first appearance since shipping overseas to finish fourth in the Saudi Derby Cup. Tyler Baze will be up. Code Runner adds the services of Ricardo Feliciano following a convincing allowance win at Lone Star Park.

South Bend, who captured the Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs in late October, can’t be dismissed from consideration as he switches from turf to dirt for Stanley Hough. Rafael Bejarano will guide. Dean Martini , second in a June 12 allowance under the Twin Spires, and last-out Churchill maiden winner Established are also entered.