Battle of Midway puts in Kentucky Derby work

ARCADIA, Calif. - Battle of Midway and Royal Mo, the second- and third-place finishers in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8, worked at Santa Anita on Sunday.

For Battle of Midway, who worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds, the exercise was his first workout in preparation for a scheduled start in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6. For Royal Mo, who went three furlongs in 40 seconds, according to trainer John Shirreffs, the next race is unclear.

Royal Mo does not have sufficient qualifying points for a berth in the Kentucky Derby. Through Saturday’s prep races across the nation, Royal Mo has 30 points. Cloud Computing is last on the list of expected starters with 40 points, followed by Untrapped (34), Looking At Lee (32) and Sonneteer (30), all in front of Royal Mo.

Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss will be closely following Kentucky Derby developments in the next two weeks to see if that list changes in favor of Royal Mo.

“Who knows what will happen?” Shirreffs said.

Shirreffs and the Mosses have a runner for the Kentucky Derby in Gormley, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby. Gormley worked three furlongs in 37.80 seconds Saturday.

“It sets him on a Saturday schedule,” Shirreffs said.

Gormley is expected to have workouts at Santa Anita on the final two weekends of April before being sent to Churchill Downs on May 1.

Battle of Midway had what trainer Jerry Hollendorfer described as “a maintenance work” Sunday.

Battle of Midway was beaten a half-length by Gormley in the Santa Anita Derby after disputing the pace throughout the race at 1 1/8 miles under jockey Corey Nakatani. Battle of Midway raced on the inside in the speed duel with Royal Mo and American Anthem, who faded to finish 12th of 13.

Hollendorfer said race strategy forced Nakatani to take a forward position.

“I don’t think Corey had any choice,” Hollendorfer said. “If he doesn’t go, he’d be trapped on the rail the whole race.”

Battle of Midway has won two of four starts for owner Rick Porter.

“He’s been improving,” Hollendorfer said.

Abel Tasman and It Tiz Well, second and third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks on April 8, worked Sunday in advance of scheduled starts in the Kentucky Oaks on May 5.

Abel Tasman, trained by Bob Baffert, worked a half-mile in 46.60 seconds, the fastest of 52 recorded works at the distance. Abel Tasman won the Grade 1 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos last December.

It Tiz Well, trained by Hollendorfer, worked three furlongs in 36.60 seconds.