Exam time for Battle Station, Empire Line in Damon Runyon Stakes

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – With the defections of Audible and Sea Foam from Monday’s $100,000 Damon Runyon Stakes, the top two choices in the one-turn-mile race for New York-breds figure to be Battle Station and Empire Line, both of whom enter the race with questions to answer.

Battle Station, who won the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes at seven furlongs in September, must prove to trainer Wesley Ward that he can be effective at a mile. In the Sleepy Hollow Stakes, a one-turn mile at Belmont, he finished eighth after getting involved in a speed duel.

Ward said Battle Station’s trip from Kentucky to New York for the Sleepy Hollow may have been a significant factor in his colt’s performance.

“It was a 20-plus-hour trip, and he was still a little lethargic the day before the race,” Ward said Saturday. “You don’t know until you run, but in hindsight, I wish I wouldn’t have. He’s been there a few weeks, so there shouldn’t be any excuses.”

Battle Station shipped to New York from Kentucky two weeks ago since the Damon Runyon was originally scheduled for Dec. 30, a card that was canceled due to weather. Audible and Sea Foam were entered to run Dec. 30, but with the brutally cold weather in New York in early January, their connections subsequently shipped those horses to Florida.

Empire Line won his debut at six furlongs by two lengths Dec. 1 and now is trying winners and a mile for the first time.

“I think every trainer and handicapper knows the jump from maidens to winners is a big jump,” trainer George Weaver said. “It would still be a big jump if he ran in a one-other-than. I think he can handle it.”

Evaluator took advantage of a hot early pace to upset the Sleepy Hollow Stakes on Oct. 21. That was his first start on dirt after going 1 for 3 on turf.

Jaye Jaye, Morning Breez, Smooth Move, and Seven Lilies complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Battle Station, by Warrior’s Reward
Last 3 Beyers: 78-53-82

◗ Returns to New York-bred competition after finishing second to Seven Trumpets in an open, first-level allowance Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs. Seven Trumpets was to run in Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct. Battle Station demonstrated the ability to run well from off the pace in that loss after racing on the lead in his first three starts.

◗ Irad Ortiz Jr. is up from Florida to ride.

Empire Line, by Morning Line
Beyer: 85

◗ Won his debut by two lengths, a race from which the second- and fourth-place finishers came back to win their next starts. Aqua Bel Sar, fourth in that race, won a stakes race next out.

Jaye Jaye, by Colonel John
Beyers: 78-62

◗ Has won both of his starts, including an allowance going a one-turn mile on dirt here Nov. 23.