Battalion Runner on slow track to Kentucky Derby trail

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Stop reading if you’ve heard this one before: Trainer Todd Pletcher has a late-developing colt win his maiden early in the Gulfstream Park meet, stretches him out to easily defeat allowance company in his next start, and proceeds to win a key Kentucky Derby prep during the spring.

Verrazano and Constitution are two horses who fit that bill. Verrazano won his debut on New Year’s Day in 2013 and an entry-level allowance race before shipping out of town to capture the Tampa Bay Derby and Wood Memorial. The following winter, it was Constitution who won his maiden and an allowance race early in the Gulfstream meet as stepping-stones to his victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.

This winter, Pletcher has another talented 3-year-old in Battalion Runner who he hopes will be able to follow in those footsteps. Battalion Runner exploded to an 8 3/4-length maiden win going seven furlongs on Dec. 31 in his second start and will attempt to build on that performance as the odds-on favorite in Friday’s $48,000 optional-claiming feature for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles.

Battalion Runner, a son of Unbridled’s Song owned by Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable, finished second behind Random Walk after being steadied at the start going 5 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park in early June. He had no such issues nearly seven months later in his second start, sprinting right to the lead and steadily increasing his advantage while earning a 96 Beyer Speed Figure. That performance was flattered by runner-up Lookin for Eights, who returned with an easy maiden win on Saturday’s Pegasus undercard.

“We’ve thought a lot of this horse from Day 1,” said Pletcher. “I was very pleased with the way he won his maiden and was happy to see the runner-up come back and flatter his form with the way he won the other day.”

Pletcher could have brought Battalion Runner back on Saturday in the Grade 2 Holy Bull but felt that an allowance race was a more logical spot for the horse’s third start.

“This way, we can give him a little more experience and hopefully build on that last race for down the road before putting him up against more seasoned horses in a stakes,” said Pletcher.

Battalion Runner will face seven rivals, the best of whom appears to be Beasley, who is well drawn on the rail with the short run to the first turn in 1 1/16-mile races at Gulfstream Park. Beasley won his debut over a muddy track at Aqueduct on Dec. 1, reasserting himself after relinquishing the lead in early stretch. He dropped a one-length decision to the speedy Classic Rock while launching his 3-year-old campaign going seven furlongs here Jan. 6.

Painter’s Rags rallied to a one-length victory in his only start, a one-mile race in the mud at Laurel on Dec. 26. Trained by Graham Motion, Painter’s Rags, a son of Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags, will race on Lasix for the first time Friday.

Arrecife, third in the Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, and Silent Decree are among the other key contenders in a field that also includes Lookin At Blessing, Fire for Effect, and Woodrow.