Study Guide: 2024 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
Feb 27, 2024
Gettysburg Address (Photo by Coady Photography)
The $150,000 John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park is one of the newest additions to the Road to the Kentucky Derby, but it’s already turned out a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, with 2022 John Battaglia fourth-place finisher Rich Strike going on to spring an 80-1 surprise in the Run for the Roses.
The 2024 John Battaglia Memorial awards Kentucky Derby qualification points to the top five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis. A field of 14 (including two also-eligible entrants) has turned out to race 1 1/16 miles over Turfway’s synthetic Tapeta track, so let’s check out the field:
Gettysburg Address
Gettysburg Address (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: WinStar Farm and Siena Farm
Breeder: WinStar Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Gerardo Corrales
Top Speed Rating: (85) when finishing fourth in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $73,800
Sire: Constitution
Dam: Jojo Warrior
Color: Bay
Gettysburg Address won his debut sprinting, but has finished fourth in three starts since stretching out in distance, including the Street Sense (G3) and Smarty Jones on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. He’ll need to improve while switching from dirt to Tapeta if he’s going to challenge for top honors in the John Battaglia Memorial.
Ode to Balius
Ode to Balius wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 1
Owner: Arnaldo Monge
Breeder: Modo Tesio Equine
Trainer: Concepcion Torres
Jockey: Sonny Leon
Top Speed Rating: (78) when breaking his maiden at Ellis Park.
Total Earnings: $47,600
Sire: American Freedom
Dam: Hail to Rocknroll
Color: Bay
Ode to Balius showed promise when battling to victory in a one-mile maiden special weight at Ellis Park last August, but he hasn’t run since and needs to step forward off his career-best 78 Brisnet Speed rating.
Mr. Faversham
Mr. Faversham wins at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 0
Owner: Stephen S. Lyster
Breeder: Machmer Hall
Trainer: Stephen Lyster
Jockey: Orlando Mojica
Top Speed Rating: (72) when winning a maiden claimer at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $44,395
Sire: Tonalist
Dam: Weight No More
Color: Dark bay/brown
Mr. Faversham has run well in two starts over the Turfway Tapeta, most recently rallying to win a one-mile $50,000 maiden claimer, but his career-best 72 Brisnet Speed rating looks light against Saturday’s field.
Bolt At Midnight
Bolt at Midnight wins Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Ruis Racing
Breeder: Ruis Racing
Trainer: Mick Ruis Sr.
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Top Speed Rating: (92) when breaking his maiden at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $56,226
Sire: Bolt d’Oro
Dam: My Midnight Affair
Color: Dark bay/brown
Bolt At Midnight was much the best in a one-mile maiden special weight at Turfway on Feb. 9, leading all the way to dominate by 4 3/4 lengths with a flashy 92 Brisnet Speed rating. The speedy colt is a logical win threat even while stepping up in class for the John Battaglia Memorial.
Fidget
Fidget wins at Horseshoe Indiana (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Dixiana Farms
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Fernando De La Cruz
Top Speed Rating: (82) when winning a Horseshoe Indianapolis allowance.
Total Earnings: $49,840
Sire: More Than Ready
Dam: Tinabud
Color: Dark bay/brown
Fidget won maiden special weight and allowance races on dirt and turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis last year, but faltered in his Road to the Kentucky Derby debut, finishing last out of nine in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park. He’ll need a rebound to challenge at Turfway, but perhaps switching to Tapeta will be the answer.
Epic Ride
Epic Ride wins at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Welch Racing
Breeder: Fred W. Hertrich III
Trainer: John Ennis
Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Top Speed Rating: (96) when breaking his maiden at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $130,517
Sire: Blame
Dam: Pick a Time
Color: Bay
Epic Ride wired a six-furlong maiden special weight at Turfway, then dueled through modest fractions on his way to a four-length romp in Turfway’s one-mile Leonatus S. Back-to-back daylight victories stamp Epic Ride as a primary win threat in the John Battaglia Memorial.
Blue Eyed George
Blue Eyed George wins at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: BG Stables
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Luan Machado
Top Speed Rating: (79) when finishing second in the Leonatus S. at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $88,594
Sire: Flameaway
Dam: Acting Naughty
Color: Bay
Blue Eyed George couldn’t keep pace with Epic Ride when finishing second in the Leonatus, but that was his first start over the Turfway Tapeta, and he finished well from behind a modest pace. A top-five finish may be within reach this Saturday.
Break Out
Start(s): 5
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1
Owner: Kenneth L. Ramsey
Breeder: Autry Lowry Jr., Big Aut Farms, and Spruceton Farm
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Tyler Conner
Top Speed Rating: (86) when breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $63,400
Sire: Good Samaritan
Dam: Afternoon Tango
Color: Dark bay/brown
Break Out rallied strongly to win a 7 1/2-furlong maiden special weight over the Gulfstream Park turf course last time out, but he’d previously lost four races, including one on Tapeta. It’s possible Break Out prefers racing on grass, so returning to Tapeta for the John Battaglia Memorial is a question mark.
Mission Ready
Mission Ready wins at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 7
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Anthony Foglia
Breeder: Ron Stolich and BRS
Trainer: Edward Fernandez
Jockey: Gavin Ashton
Top Speed Rating: (88) when winning a Turfway Park allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $82,180
Sire: Catholic Boy
Dam: Granby Girl
Color: Chestnut
Mission Ready posted an encouraging 88 Brisnet Speed rating when rallying to victory in a one-mile $50,000 allowance optional claimer at Turfway last month. But in an identical race one start prior, Mission Ready finished seventh with a 70 Brisnet Speed rating, so this chestnut gelding is something of a wildcard in the John Battaglia Memorial.
Good Bali
Good Bali wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 6
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 1
Owner: Calumet Farm
Breeder: Farfellow Farms
Trainer: Rusty Arnold
Jockey: Colby Hernandez
Top Speed Rating: (77) when finishing third in the Leonatus S. at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $68,645
Sire: Bal a Bali
Dam: In Good Company
Color: Bay
Good Bali has shown ability on both turf and Tapeta, most recently finishing third in the Leonatus. But with a career-best 77 Brisnet Speed rating from six starts, he needs improvement to turn the tables on Epic Ride and Blue Eyed George and challenge for more than a minor award this Saturday.
Mugatu
Start(s): 9
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 3
Owner: Average Joe Racing Stables and Dan Wells
Breeder: JSM Equine
Trainer: Jeff Engler
Jockey: Joe Talamo
Top Speed Rating: (87) when finishing third in a Turfway Park allowance optional claimer.
Total Earnings: $50,463
Sire: Blofeld
Dam: Union Way
Color: Chestnut
Mugatu has finished third in his last two starts racing one mile against $50,000 allowance optional claiming competition at Turfway Park, on one occasion coming home three-quarters of a length behind Mission Ready. He’s also finished behind Blue Eyed George on grass, so Mugatu is another runner who needs a step forward to turn the tables on past conquerors.
Encino
Encino wins at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 1
Show: 0
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Top Speed Rating: (83) when breaking his maiden at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $54,435
Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Glittering Jewel
Color: Dark bay/brown
A son of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, Encino led all the way to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Turfway Park on Jan. 26, prevailing by half a length. He’d previously rallied from far back to finish second by a neck in a one-mile maiden special weight at Turfway. Encino’s versatility in terms of running style is appealing, but he benefited from a slow pace in his maiden victory, and his career-best 83 Brisnet Speed rating looks a little light. He’ll need improvement to challenge for victory while breaking from an outside post in the John Battaglia.
Karlwithanarl
Karlwithanarl wins at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Savages Stable
Breeder: Right On Renee Partners
Trainer: Robert Medina
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Top Speed Rating: (82) when winning a Turfway Park starter allowance.
Total Earnings: $43,828
Sire: Klimt
Dam: Right On Renee
Color: Bay
The first of two also-eligible entrants is Karlwithanarl, who will need a scratch in order to compete. He’s won twice over the Turfway Tapeta, but those victories came in a $15,000 maiden claimer and a $50,000 starter allowance. The waters are deeper in the John Battaglia Memorial, but at least we know Karlwithanarl enjoys this track.
Katheeb
Katheeb wins at Turfway Park (Photo by Coady Photography)
Start(s): 2
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0
Owner: Shadwell Stable
Breeder: Shadwell Farm
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Declan Cannon
Top Speed Rating: (79) when winning his debut at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $42,170
Sire: More Than Ready
Dam: Kahrumana
Color: Chestnut
The second also-eligible entrant, Katheeb dominated his debut in a one-mile maiden special weight at Turfway, leading all the way through slow fractions to win by 6 1/4 lengths. He subsequently finished ninth in a $75,000 allowance optional claimer over the Gulfstream Park turf, but he got cut off badly in the homestretch and lost all chance. Katheeb was rallying nicely until that point and is eligible to rebound if he gets a clean trip while returning to Tapeta at Turfway, though he’ll need two scratches in order to compete, and breaking from the far outside post could be a tricky task to overcome.
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