A field off eight 3-year-olds was entered for the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, and although none of them have shown enough talent to be considered near the top of their class, this is the time of year when sharp improvement is often shown.
CODOY finished 2nd in the G3 Bourbon Stakes on the turf at Keeneland and is the only one in the field with graded-stakes earnings. Five of his six starts were on turf, but his only win was at a slightly shorter distance on this surface. He will have lots of supporters here but hasn’t raced since Nov. 7, and his trainer won with just one of his last 27 starters returning from similar layoffs, so beware.
KERA’S KITTEN won three of five starts, including the $50,000 WEBN stakes in his last start. He hails from a very hot stable and is another that will get strong support at the windows, but he hasn’t shown a lot of ability to pass rivals and may have horses in front of him today.
LUCKY CHUCK was favored and finished 3rd behind KERA’S KITTEN in his last start, but he lost a lot of ground racing wide in that race and should get a better trip today. His trainer win 22% with beaten favorites, and this one has worked very fast since his last start. He could be the one to show the most improvement.
VOW TO WAGER woke up in his last race, beating MSW rivals by more than five lengths, after stumbling at the start. The second-place finisher in that race came back to win his next start. He is bred to be a nice sort and could continue his winning ways at a nice price.
Don’t be surprised if the winner of this race goes on to make some big waves later in the year.
Paul Skelton is currently the premiere handicapper for the acclaimed
Thoroughbred Insiders Group. He is a proven a specialist at the major Midwestern tracks, including Turfway Park, Arlington Park, Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Keeneland, and Oaklawn Park.
