Sleepy Hollow isn't a gimme for Battle Station

ELMONT, N.Y. – Eclectic groups have been assembled for the pair of juvenile stakes on Saturday’s Empire Showcase Day program for statebreds at Belmont Park, with outfits from California, Kentucky, and Maryland well represented in addition to those based in New York.

In the $250,000 Sleepy Hollow for 2-year-olds, the Kentucky-based Battle Station makes a return trip to New York after winning a maiden race on grass at Saratoga and the Bertram F. Bongard Stakes on dirt at Belmont. His trainer, Wesley Ward, was trying to convince owner Ken Ramsey to run Battle Station in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but Ramsey, a handicapper in his own right, believes this is the better spot.

“I’d be 30-1 in the Breeders’ Cup or 1-5 in the Sleepy Hollow,” Ramsey said. “I’d rather take the bird in the hand than the one in the bush.”

Well, Battle Station might not be that short a price since there are some talented runners from other jurisdictions in this one-mile race.

Stoney Bennett and We Should Talk, both based in Maryland, were debut winners at this meet. Big Gemmy, based in Kentucky, won a seven-furlong maiden race at Saratoga in August before finishing fifth in the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill Downs.

Analyze the Odds got up to win the New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes going six furlongs, and trainer Todd Pletcher said, “I always felt like he’d appreciate added distance.”

Conversely, in the $250,000 Maid of the Mist for 2-year-old fillies, Pletcher is taking a shot by stretching out the speedy Pure Silver to a mile. Pure Silver won her first three starts, including the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga by 9 1/2 lengths, before getting used up in a speed duel with Separationofpowers when finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Spinaway. Separationofpowers came back to win the Grade 1 Frizette two weeks ago.

“The key will be how she settles early on,” Pletcher said. “If she does, then I think she would have a solid chance.”

I Still Miss You was second to Pure Silver in the Lynbrook here on July 16, but was basically eased when last as the favorite in the Seeking the Ante at Saratoga on Sept. 2.

Held Accountable, after winning her debut on turf, won the Joseph A. Gimma Stakes going seven furlongs on dirt here Sept. 20.

Cause We Are Loyal and Newport Breeze, who ran 1-2 in the Seeking the Ante, hail from California-based connections but have been training recently in New York.

KEY CONTENDERS

SLEEPY HOLLOW (Race 6)

Battle Station, by Warrior’s Reward
Beyers: 82-72

◗ Despite a debut win on turf, he greatly improved with a switch to dirt, rolling to a 9 1/4-length win in the Bertram F. Bongard.

◗ Came back with a strong five-furlong work in 1:00 last Sunday at Keeneland.

Stoney Bennett, Bustin Stones
Beyer: 78

◗ Overcame the rail draw to win his debut going six furlongs here Sept. 15.

“I was really impressed with his first start,” trainer Ollie Figgins said. “We had the 1 hole, which is a crummy post for a first-time starter, overcame that, and went on to finish and finished strong.”

◗ He has the rail again for the stretch-out to a mile.

Big Gemmy, by Gemologist
Last 3 Beyers: 60-67-54

◗ Became one of three next-out winners from a July 28 maiden race at Saratoga when he won a seven-furlong statebred maiden race by 3 3/4 lengths there.

◗ May have found the company a bit too strong when fifth in the Iroquois.

MAID OF THE MIST (Race 2)

Newport Breeze, Majestic Warrior
Last 3 Beyers: 59-49-60

◗ Had difficult trips in a pair of statebred stakes after coming here from California. Adds blinkers and worked pretty well in that equipment here Oct. 3.

I Still Miss You, by Majestic Warrior
Last 3 Beyers: 0-75-74

◗ Ran too good here in the summer to think that her last race, where she was eased, was nothing more than an aberration.