The Bat Signal should be right at home despite stretchout

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – For one start of his 18-race career, The Bat Signal has been owned and trained by someone other than Peter Mizioch and Eric Kruljac.

In July 2009, The Bat Signal was claimed from them for $50,000. Mizioch and Kruljac claimed the gelding back for $62,500 later that month. By any measure, the long-term relationship has been a success: The Bat Signal has won 7 of 18 starts and $201,524. It would not surprise Kruljac if The Bat Signal adds substantially to his prize winnings in Sunday’s $75,000 On Trust Handicap at Hollywood Park.

“It seems like the right thing to do,” Kruljac said. “He seems to love that track.”

The Bat Signal has won half of his 10 career starts at Hollywood Park, leaving Mizioch, of Phoenix, and Kruljac, hoping for a big result on Sunday, the day the track’s fall meeting ends. Santa Anita’s winter-spring meeting begins on Dec. 26.

The On Trust Handicap is run over 7 1/2 furlongs for statebreds and is the eighth race on a nine-race program. The Bat Signal drew the outside post in a field of seven that features one stakes winner and two stakes-placed runners from this year.

Cayambe won the Ralph Hinds Pomona Invitational at Fairplex Park on Sept. 26 and was fourth in the California Cup Classic here on Oct. 30. A Lil Dumaani was third in the California Cup Sprint in October, while Mobilized was third in the Tiznow Stakes over this course and distance in April.

The Bat Signal was second to Earnednevergiven in an optional claimer over 6 1/2 furlongs on Nov. 21, closing well to lose by a length. The On Trust will be his first start over 7 1/2 furlongs.

“He’ll have to handle that extra furlong,” Kruljac said. “He ran a pretty good seven-eighths once.”

Earnednevergiven is one of three entrants who won their last starts. Amazombie won an optional claimer over six furlongs on turf on Dec. 5, while Mobilized won an optional claimer over 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 25.

Earnednevergiven led throughout the Nov. 21 race, but trainer Mike Machowsky said the 6-year-old gelding does not have a specific style.

“He doesn’t have to be on the lead,” Machowsky said. “The last race kind of set up that way. We think he might better as a sprinter. He can sit off what he needs to.”