2024 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at a Glance

Racing
John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Turfway Park Kentucky Derby Gettysburg Address Ode to Balius Mr. Faversham Bolt at Midnight Fidget Epic Ride Blue Eyed George Break Out Mission Ready Good Bali Mugatu Encino Karlwithanarl Katheeb
Horses break from the starting gate in the 2023 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park. (Coady Photography)

The John Battaglia Memorial Stakes may not be contested on dirt, but it could help send a horse to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. A total of 42 Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be awarded to the top five finishers on a sliding scale of 20-10-6-4-2 in the Battaglia, which is held at 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather Tapeta Footings track at Turfway Park in northern Kentucky.

john battaglia memorial stakes

Racetrack: Turfway Park, Florence, Ky.

Date: March 2

Purse: $150,000

Distance: 1 1/16 miles

Race: 6

Post Time: 8:25 p.m. ET

Notable winners: Tiz the Bomb (2022), Somelikeithotbrown (2019), Champali (2003), Request for Parole (2002)

First held: 1982

1. Gettysburg Address (6-1 morning-line odds): Has done well enough in his previous stakes tries to be a big factor here. But they were on dirt. This will be his first race on an all-weather surface, making him a question mark.

JOCKEY: Gerardo CorralesTRAINER: Brad Cox                                             

2. Ode to Balius (30-1): Also tries an all-weather track for the first time. Has not raced since August when he won a maiden race at Ellis Park in mediocre time. Looks like a tough spot for him.

JOCKEY: Sonny LeonTRAINER: Concepcion Torres

3. Mr. Faversham (30-1): Won a maiden claimer over the track in career-best time. Seems capable of being a factor here.

JOCKEY: Orlando MojicaTRAINER: Stephen Lyster

4. Bolt At Midnight (4-1): Has stepped up since moving to Turfway. Look good in a maiden win and will be a main contender if he takes another step forward.

JOCKEY: Martin GarciaTRAINER: Mick Ruis Sr.

5. Fidget (15-1): Another newbie on the all-weather surface. Broke his maiden on turf, which bodes well for handling this track. There are some things to like, topped by coming from the Brad Cox barn.

JOCKEY: Fernando De La CruzTRAINER: Brad Cox

Epic Ride (Coady Photography)

6. Epic Ride (5-2): Showed keen early speed in winning the Leonatus Stakes over the track. Could be hard to catch here, but is likely to face more early pressure in a longer race.

JOCKEY: Adam BeschizzaTRAINER: John Ennis

7. Blue Eyed George (6-1): Rallied to finish second by four lengths to Epic Ride in the Leonatus. Could benefit from more pace pressure and distance, allowing him to turn the tables.

JOCKEY: Luan MachadoTRAINER: Michael McCarthy

8. Break Out (12-1): Was third on Tapeta at Gulfstream Park in a maiden race. Speed figures are notch below the top contenders.

JOCKEY: Tyler ConnerTRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.

9. Mission Ready (15-1): An allowance winner over the track, he should like the added distance. Could be interesting at the right price.

JOCKEY: Gavin Ashton; TRAINER: Edward Fernandez

10. Good Bali (20-1): Was third in the Leonatus and will need to take a step forward to be a contender here.

JOCKEY: Colby HernandezTRAINER: Rusty Arnold

11. Mugatu (20-1): Comes off a pair of thirds in allowance races over the track. Has a chance to be a contender if he can overcome the post.

JOCKEY: Joe TalamoTRAINER: Jeff Engler

12. Encino (9-2): Showed a nice burst of speed to break his maiden over the track. If that speed allows him to cut over to the inside and avoid a wide trip, could be a main threat.

JOCKEY: Axel ConcepcionTRAINER: Brad Cox

13. Karlwithanarl (20-1): Will need a scratch to run after winning a starter allowance race here at Turfway.

JOCKEY: Axel ConcepcionTRAINER: Robert Medina

14. Katheeb (10-1): Maiden winner here will need two scratches to run.

JOCKEY: Declan CannonTRAINER: Brendan Walsh

THE PICK: Blue Eyed George

LIVE LONGSHOT: Mission Ready

SUPERFECTA: 7-6-1-12

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