“TDN Rising Star” Battle of Midway (Smart Strike) simply cantered around the track at Santa Anita Saturday, skipping home the easiest of winners in the GIII Affirmed S. Last seen finishing third in the GI Kentucky Derby May 6, the hulking bay was hammered down to 1-9 favoritism while facing just three rivals in this test.
Seizing the early advantage, Battle of Midway loped along through leisurely early fractions of :24.50 and :48.88 with California-bred B Squared (Square Eddie) glued to his outside hip and a comfortable lead on his remaining two foes. B Squared drew even with the chalk turning for home, but that did not last for more than a stride of two. Battle of Midway effortlessly drew clear of the Reddam Racing runner when shaken up a bit by Flavien Prat in the stretch and cruised home under a hand ride to a decisive 3 3/4-length success.
“We talked about being in front,” winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “We thought we might end up being the speed, so I wasn't surprised. I just told Prat to get on his way and if somebody does something different to adjust to it.”
The Hall of Famer continued, “I think he's showing that he's coming into being a good horse and able to run against top competition. We want to look at [the GI Haskell Invitational S. at Monmouth Park July 30]. That's the race that we've talked about. That doesn't mean we're absolutely going to do that. There are a few real tough horses that might go in that race, but we might run in there anyway.”
Purchased by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm for $410,000 at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale, Battle of Midway was tabbed a “TDN Rising Star” after an impressive debut victory at Santa Anita Jan. 21. Third next out in the seven-panel GII San Vicente S. Feb. 12, the sophomore cleared his first-level allowance condition next out when stretched to 1 1/16 miles in Arcadia Mar. 9.
Runner-up to Gormley (Malibu Moon) in the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr.8, Battle of Midway was privately purchased by WinStar Farm and Don Alberto Stable just 13 days later. Making his first start for his new connections in the Run for the Roses, the bay ran a game third behind Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) and Lookin at Lee (Lookin at Lucky) over a wet track.
Pedigree Notes:
Battle of Midway's dam Rigoletta, a $35,000 OBSAPR purchase by Thor-Bred Stable, captured the 2010 GI Oak Leaf S. for trainer Dan Hendricks. The 9-year-old mare is also responsible for the juvenile filly Gold Arrow (Medaglia d'Oro), a yearling colt by Medaglia d'Oro and an Empire Maker colt born Mar. 28 of this year. Battle of Midway hails from the female family of champion female sprinter Musical Romance (Concorde's Tune).
Saturday, Santa Anita
AFFIRMED S.-GIII, $98,000, SA, 6-24, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.25, ft.
1–#@BATTLE OF MIDWAY, 120, c, 3, by Smart Strike
1st Dam: Rigoletta (GISW, $184,070), by Concerto
2nd Dam: Almost Aprom Queen, by Montbrook
3rd Dam: Romantic Dinner, by Who's for Dinner
'TDN Rising Star' ($410,000 Ylg '15 FTSAUG). O-Don Alberto Stable and WinStar Farm LLC; B-Thor-Bred Stables, LLC (KY); T-Jerry Hollendorfer; J-Flavien Prat. $60,000. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 6-3-1-2, $550,000. Werk Nick Rating: C (1SW). Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”lynwood-stable-graduate”][bullet ad=”gainesway-consigned-by”][bullet ad=”thorbred”][bullet ad=”kbif-g2g3″]2–B Squared, 122, c, 3, Square Eddie–Silar Rules, by Ten Most Wanted. O/B-Reddam Racing LLC (CA); T-Doug F. O'Neill. $20,000.
3–Term of Art, 122, c, 3, Tiznow–Miles of Style, by Storm Cat. ($220,000 Ylg '15 KEESEP). O-Calumet Farm; B-Whisper Hill Farm (KY); T-Doug F. O'Neill. $12,000.[bullet ad=”timber-town-consigned”]Margins: 4 1/4, 4HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.10, 6.30, 8.30.
Also Ran: Quiet Dude. Scratched: Arms Runner.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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