Battle Station to show the way in turf sprint

Battle Station is not the most accomplished turf horse in Friday’s seventh race at Belmont Park, nor is he the fastest horse on speed figures. However, his abundance of early speed could make him tough to catch in a six-furlong turf sprint that is largely void of pace.

Unlike many of his rivals in this $77,000 first-level allowance, he is established as a front-runner. He started his career with two wins last August and September and added another in February after taking command in the middle portion of the race.

Although two of those victories came on dirt, he scored on grass at Saratoga in his career debut, hustling to the lead, setting demanding splits, and lasting by three-quarters of a length. Friday’s race is one-sixteenth of a mile longer, though that seems like a non-issue since he has won going as far as seven furlongs on dirt.

John Velazquez, who rode Battle Station to a third-place finish on the Belmont main track May 6, returns in the irons for trainer Wesley Ward and owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey.

If Battle Station receives unexpected early pressure, the race could become highly competitive. Several horses have higher Beyer Speed Figures than Battle Station, who so far has topped out at an 82.

One of those with faster numbers is Yummy Bear, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, who posted Beyers ranging from 83 to 91 over eight consecutive starts before running ninth in the one-mile Kingston for New York-breds on May 28. Matched against easier foes and going a shorter trip, he has the potential to return to form, as does The Crocheron Kid, another horse turning back in distance after failing to keep up in the Kingston.

Key Contenders

Battle Station, by Warrior’s Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 81-76-62

◗ Velazquez and Ward have teamed up to win with eight of 31 starters (26 percent) at Belmont in 2017-18, with a $2.09 average return on investment.

Skekky Shebaz, by Cape Blanco
Last 3 Beyers: 80-46-71

◗ Although seemingly not as quick as Battle Station, he should still be prominent early. A Presque Isle Downs invader, he won his first two races on the lead before shifting to stalking tactics in four subsequent starts, and he now picks up Kendrick Carmouche, one of the more aggressive speed riders in New York.

Yummy Bear, by Sidney’s Candy
Last 3 Beyers: 67-89-87

◗ The route-to-sprint angle with grass horses is a statistical strength for trainer David Donk. According to DRF Formulator, Donk has won with nine of 41 such types (20 percent) over the past five years, with an average return of $2.83 for each $2 wager.