The Great War a clear standout in 96Rock Stakes

The 96Rock Stakes at Turfway Park typically is comprised of blue-collar 3-year-olds braving the winter in Kentucky and seemingly without much hope of becoming major players on the Kentucky Derby trail. However, 2015 might prove an exception.

Saturday’s $75,000 96Rock Stakes drew its share of working-class runners, but it also drew an established, high-quality performer in The Great War, a son of War Front who ran fourth in the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile after winning three races last year on turf in Ireland.

A $1 million yearling purchase owned by a partnership that includes Joseph Allen and principals from Coolmore Stud, he is a standout on class in the 96Rock going 6 1/2 furlongs on Polytrack.

Saturday marks his first start for trainer Wesley Ward after the horse spent last year campaigned by Aidan O’Brien.

Although The Great War hasn’t raced on a synthetic surface such as Polytrack, Ward seems confident based on the colt’s training that he will like it. Ward intends to race him at Turfway through the winter in the $125,000 John Battaglia Memorial at a mile Feb. 28 and the Grade 3, $550,000 Spiral Stakes going 1 1/8 miles March 21.

Leading rider Albin Jimenez has the call on The Great War, favored at 6-5 on the morning line.

As the sixth race during a nighttime card, post time is 8:40 Eastern.

Midnight Decision is an early scratch.

Key contenders

The Great War (Last Beyer: 89)

* Seems fully capable of handling a cutback in distance to a sprint, having recorded his three victories in Ireland last year from five to six furlongs.

* In the BC Juvenile, he finished just 1 3/4 lengths behind the third-place Upstart, who romped in last week’s Grade 2 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park.

Serious Talk (Last 2 Beyers: 70-50)

* Makes his first start for owner Michael Hui and trainer Mike Maker following a private purchase.

“We like what we’ve seen so far,” Maker said.

* Is perfect in two starts, winning a $32,000 maiden claimer at Woodbine on Polytrack last year and a $35,000 claimer at Gulfstream on dirt.

Two Step Temper (Last 3 Beyers: 57-58-65)

* Is another Maker trainee and invader from Florida, where he won a maiden special weight race on grass at Gulfstream Park West before going unplaced in two starts against winners on turf.