Batten Down buttoned up the Ohio Derby. (Adam Coglianese)
By Maribeth Kalinich
It was Ohio Derby Day at JACK Thistledown on a hot 91-degree day with a gray sky and a track was sizzling with excitement.
But gray seems to be lucky this year as Juddmonte’s homebred Batten Down took the Grade 3, $500,000 Ohio Derby honors gate-to-wire.
Batten Down broke well and immediately went to the lead with gold in second and Charleston third with Catching Freedom fourth.
Copper Tax settled into fifth and Uncle was well off the early pace.
Under a patient ride by Junior Alvarado, Batten Down confidently held the lead around the clubhouse turn opening up a four-length lead on Gould’s Gold just after setting a 22.86 opening quarter mile.
At the half mile pole Batten Down was five lengths ahead with Catching Freedom, Luis Saez up, and Gould’s Gold under Brian Hernandez, Jr., dueling for second.
Into the far turn with three furlongs to go Gould’s Gold coming up on the rail with Catching Freedom glued to his shoulder gaining on the leader, Batten Down.
Coming around the stretch turn Batten Down was on the lead by a length and a half with Catching Freedom coming around the outside of Gould’s Gold. Uncle Heavy came from behind and caught a fading Charleston.
Copper Tax gave chase on the outside as Gould’s Gold and Catching Freedom duked it out Batten Down had a rail skimming hand ride to the finish for trainer Bill Mott.
Copper Tax, who was bumped at the start, got up in time for third but couldn’t catch Gould’s Gold with Catching Freedom getting a close fourth.
Deposition, Frizzante, Mugatu and Who’s the King were all scratched by trainers.
Batten Down completed the 1-1/8 miles dirt contest in 1:50.20 with fractions of 46.82, 1:11.20 and1:37.22. The record was set by Smarten June 17, 1979, at 1:47.40.
A son of Tapit out of First Defence mare Close Hatches, Batten Down paid $8.60 (4.80, 6.80) for the win. Gould’s Gold gave away some treasure paying $7.80 (10.40) with Copper Tax awarding lots of copper pennies in the form of $7.00 for show.
Unraced as a 2-year-old, Batten Down started at Gulfstream Park January 27 with a sixth place and second place finish in late February.
After a third place at Keeneland April 6 the gray colt broke his maiden at Churchill Downs April 30.
