Battle of Midway opts for Comma to the Top instead of BC Dirt Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. – Battle of Midway will not defend his title in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 3 at Churchill Downs, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Saturday morning at Santa Anita.

Instead, Battle of Midway will run in the $75,000 Comma to the Top Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 28. That race is a two-turn mile like last year's BC Dirt Mile at Del Mar. This year's Dirt Mile is around one turn.

But one turn or two, the decision, Hollendorfer said, was made to give Battle of Midway "in theory an easier race."

"The owners wanted that, and I agreed," he said. "We're taking the long-term approach."

Battle of Midway, 4, has raced twice since being put back in training after being found to be subfertile at stud earlier this year. In his most-recent start, he was fifth of seven in the Kelso at Belmont Park on Sept. 22.