3/4/23
1 TP The Battaglia Memorial Stakes [KYD] 
$150.000 3YO 1 1/16m Dirt 122lbs +penalties
Talk about a wide-open race, or at least that’s how I see it. The Battaglia Memorial Stakes is always an interesting lead-in to the TC Trail, and we have a lot of questions to answer today. Could the post-time favorite be a maiden? Is the “outside push” a real thing and could it propel a horse to the winner’s circle? Could the weather play a huge factor? We find out on Saturday afternoon, and I’m going with Sinamaulu as my top choice today. He just missed in the Limehouse at GP, and came back to beat Alw types, both over the GP main track… that could be good enough here. Gallant will be my second choice off of that tiring third in the Logan, that over the SA turf course. I like how he broke maiden on the main track at PID, so surface shouldn’t matter. It’s anyone’s to win, and it will move them up the KYD Points Board.
Here’s The Field –
Hard knocking gelding that bounced back after a fifth in the LA Futurity (GII) to be third in the Swale Stakes (GIII) at GP over a wet strip. He was third in the Champagne (GI), also a wet track, so they barn may be doing a rain dance. I think you have to give him a big look no matter the surface.
Only four races for this one but he sure is making the most of things. Broke maiden at CT, threw a bad race at FL, then won in HUGE fashion at GG taking the Gold Rush on a damp track… so, we may have more than one barn begging the weatherman.
Another lightly raced colt that seems to be getting the hang of this race-horse thingy… Broke maiden at GP then came back to edge past Alw types late over that same strip, so it’s on to stakes company. Another like his last trio and he should be right in the thick of it when they turn for home.
Second part of the Arindel couple and another that has been running big. Broke maiden on a wet track at WO, just missed when second in the Limehouse and beat OptAlw types in his most recent. So, he’s won two of three with a runner-up stakes finish since the vet paid a visit… dangerous.
The big barn brings an odd-fellow to this one… he was second in the Champagne (GI) and has five runner-up finishes on his resume’, but this one is still a maiden… yes, you heard that right… $213.510 in earnings, on the board in seven of ten starts… still waiting for his first picture. Today?
7% trainer, 0% jock… yeah, great. Broke maiden at WO, but has probably run better on turf that dirt, so it’s probably a good idea to skip over this one and move forward in your handicapping.
Six of his nine starts have come on the weeds, but they switch him back to the main track looking to shake him up. He broke maiden on the DMR sod and was close in a number of turf stakes races… makes his first ’23 start.
Broke maiden at DMR, was sold, and it’s been tough sledding since. Last of twelve in both the Gun Runner at FG and the Lewis Stakes (GIII) at SA. Sharp barn, so look for this one to improve today.
Another that broke maiden at WO, on the turf, and was second up there on the main track… his last pair have been wanting, but the works say he may be ready to show a bit more today. He may come with some odds, and I wouldn’t skip him.
He shows a 2-1-1 record from just five starts, so no doubt he has some talent. This is his first venture into the black-type races, but that was a nice win at GG on the main track vs. Alw types… he could be worth a look.
Got the job done at CD going a mile and a sixteenth and has tired to be fifth in his last two, the CAC Derby and the Lewis (GIII), both in SoCal. Maybe getting out of Cali and back to KY will do this one some good.
Catches the outside post but seems to run his best races when forwardly placed and with the perceived “outside push”, this could be a spot for him to make some noise. He was third in the Logan on the SA sod last out, and I think he fits the bill to be trouble.
COZMAN 4 / 12 Willie’s Green Card 5 / 1 / 11
Categories: TC 2021-2023
