John Battaglia Memorial lacks a clear favorite
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
Horses looking to “spiral up” and draw a step closer to a Kentucky Derby berth will clash Saturday night at Turfway Park in a competitive 34th running of the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial.
An oversubscribed field of 3-year-olds with no clear-cut favorite entered the Battaglia, a 1 1/16-mile Polytrack race that leads to the annual Turfway showcase, the $500,000 Spiral Stakes.
Lacking a standout, the Battaglia figures to get its lukewarm favorite from a handful of logical contenders: Swagger Jagger, Whatawonderflworld, Surgical Strike, Torrontes, and Strike Up the Band. All five spent all or part of the winter in Florida or Arkansas.
On a bittersweet note, the race will coincide with the final call in the distinguished career of announcer Mike Battaglia, the eldest son of John Battaglia. In 1972, John Battaglia, the longtime general manager at Turfway (then known as Latonia), founded the Spiral, which will be renewed as a Derby points race April 2. John Battaglia, who died in 1981, coined the term “spiral” in creating a Derby prep race for his small track in northern Kentucky.
First post for a 10-race card is 6:15 p.m. Eastern, with the Battaglia, the sixth race, set for 8:40.
The Battaglia’s purse includes $25,000 in bonuses for nominees to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. Four of the 14 entries (only as many as 12 can start) are ineligible for the bonus.
John Battaglia Memorial, Race 6
KEY CONTENDERS
Swagger Jagger, by Crown of Thorns
Last 3 Beyers: 70-82-71
◗ Blinkers go on a Florida-bred colt whose best efforts have come over turf, which often is a predictor of prowess on synthetic surfaces.
◗ He is one of three entries in here for Mike Maker (with Strike Up the Band and Triple Creek), the perennial leading trainer at Turfway.
Whatawonderflworld, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 73-78-73
◗ The winner of a Jan. 26 non-wagering stakes run over his home synthetic surface at the Ocala Training Center after starting his career on turf, he’ll be looking to rebound off a last-place finish in the Sam F. Davis Stakes over the Tampa Bay Downs dirt for trainer Mark Casse.
Surgical Strike, by Red Giant
Last 3 Beyers: 70-80-77
◗ A decent third in the 6 1/2-furlong WEBN Stakes here three weeks ago, this chestnut colt has developed a decent closing kick for trainer Ben Colebrook while competing exclusively on turf or synthetics.
Torrontes, by Macho Uno
Last 3 Beyers: 23-81-73
◗ Blinkers will be removed following a one-race experiment for a gelding whose form was respectable prior to his last-place finish in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
Strike Up the Band, by Smart Strike
Last 3 Beyers: 71-71-47
◗ This gelding will get tested for class after having been shrewdly spotted in starter events since being claimed by Ken Ramsey and Maker last fall for $30,000.