Battle of Midway has first breeze on comeback trail

Battle of Midway, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar last November, worked three furlongs in 39.20 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday, his first major exercise since returning to training earlier this year.

Battle of Midway was sent to stud in Kentucky last winter but was found to be subfertile, leading to a decision to place the 4-year-old back in training.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said little was expected of Battle of Midway in Saturday’s workout.

“It was slow,” Hollendorfer said. “That was by design. He’s coming off a layoff.”

Battle of Midway was initially trained by Rodolphe Brisset when he resumed training this year.

Battle of Midway is owned by WinStar Farm and Don Alberto Stable, who reached a deal with an insurance company on a subfertility claim. Third in the 2017 Kentucky Derby, Battle of Midway has won 5 of 10 starts and earned $1,249,949.