First Resort scoring the 2024 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. (Coady Media/Renee Torbit)
In Saturday’s $175,000 John Battaglia
Derby Dispatch/Edited
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Road to the Kentucky Derby rolls into Turfway Park Racing & Gaming on Saturday for the 43rd running of the $175,000 John Battaglia Memorial where Godolphin’s Kentucky Jockey Club (Grade II) winner First Resort leads an over-subscribed field of 12 3-year-olds plus two also-eligibles.
Run at 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta, the John Battaglia Memorial will go as the featured seventh race on the 10-race program with a post time of 8:55 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 5:55 p.m.
First Resort, a homebred son of Uncle Mo, has been training at Turfway Park through the winter in preparation for his 3-year-old debut. Under the care of Eoin Harty, First Resort stamped himself as a Kentucky Derby prospect with a 2 ¼-length victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) at Churchill Downs. Prior to that start, First Resort won his debut at Ellis Park by 3 ½ lengths before finishing second in the Saratoga Special (GII). Jockey Luis Saez, who guided First Resort to victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club, retains the mount from post No. 9.
Among First Resort’s challengers are several of Turfway Park’s most accomplished 3-year-olds including J S Stables’ Leonatus Stakes winner Baby Max; Rose Hill Farm, Vincent Colbert, John Trumbulovic and James Connor’s Turfway Prevue winner Comin in Hot; and Aaron and Victoria Haberman’s California Burrito, an eye-catching allowance winner over the Tapeta.
Several accomplished 3-year-olds are set to make their first start at Turfway, including Three Diamonds Farm’s Calling Card, a New York-bred maiden special weight winner by 17 ¼ lengths; Back Racing and Run for LaRoses’ Maximum Promise, who scored a 14 ½-length maiden victory at Ellis Park; and Mens Grille Racing’s two-time stakes winner Studlydoright.
The complete field for the John Battaglia Memorial
*Spirit Rags, Banks, King of Ashes, Brereton’s Baytown and Special Caliber were not made early Triple Crown nominees but can do so with a $6,000 late payment due by Monday, April 7.
The John Battaglia Memorial will award the top five finishers qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale toward a spot in the starting gate for the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI).
The Road to the Kentucky Derby returns to Turfway Park on Saturday, March 22, for the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII), a key stop in the Championship Series.
John Battaglia Memorial Quotes
Baby Max (trainer Kelsey Danner): “He’s doing well coming into the race. Turfway is probably the best surface I’ve ever trained on – summer or winter, I think it’s consistent and safe. I’ve kept most of my better horses on it all year. … He’s been impressive so far in his career and looking forward to another top effort on Saturday.”
First Resort (jockey Luis Saez): “I’m looking forward to getting back aboard him. He was very impressive last time out. He acted very professional when he was a 2-year-old so I’m sure he’s matured even more over the winter.”
How To Watch The John Battaglia Memorial
> FanDuel TV will feature live, on-site coverage at Turfway Park from Matt Carothers
> Stream live on TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby.
