Battle of Midway gets Easy Comeback Win in Affirmed

The $100,000 Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes was supposed to be a Haskell Invitational prep for Battle of Midway, but it played out more like a walkover. The Kentucky Derby show finisher took command out of the gate and was never challenged, going on to earn an easy 4 ¼-length win.

In a small field of four, Battle of Midway went off as the clear 1-9 favorite. The Smart Strike colt broke sharp from post two, and relaxed on the lead under Flavien Prat. B Squared broke from the rail, but found himself to the outside of Battle of Midway. Mario Gutierrez stuck to the favorite’s flank, trying not to let him and Prat run away. Another two lengths back was Term of Art, and Quiet Dude was fourth.

With Battle of Midway under cruise control up front, the opening fractions went in :24.50, :48.88, and 1:12.86. Just before the three-quarters were run, Gutierrez began to pump on B Squared, while Prat’s hands remained steady. The front-running team allowed B Squared to reach even terms, but then Prat turned his mount loose in the home stretch. With little asking, Battle of Midway drew clear, dashing whatever hopes B Squared had of catching him.

Battle of Midway passed the mile in 1:36.73 and completed the 1 & 1/16-miles race in 1:43.25. Term of Art was third and Quiet Dude fourth. Arms Runner was scratched from the race. The winner paid $2.20 and $2.10, while B Squared returned $2.40 at 6-1. With only a four horse field, no show wagering was offered.

The Affirmed was the third win in six starts for Battle of Midway, who won his career debut in January for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. He also took an allowance/optional claiming race over the late, highly regarded Reach the World, and was second to Gormley in the Santa Anita Derby. The bay colt was last seen finishing third in the Kentucky Derby at 40-1 odds.

Battle of Midway was bred by Thor-Bred Stables, LLC and purchased by Fox Hill Farms for $410,000 at the 2015 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. Following his Santa Anita Derby effort, Don Alberto Stable and WinStar Farm bought Battle of Midway to campaign him in the Kentucky Derby. The Affirmed was the three-year-old colt’s first stakes win and improved his earnings to $550,000.

“It’s easier to win (when going in :24 quarters.),” said Flat. “We didn’t go super fast the first part. I think it’s better to run at a target and a good pace but we were comfortable on the lead and he did a great job.”

“I had to make sure he was focused in the lane, which was great actually because that’s when he starting running. He should improve from this race. Jerry is one of the best trainers so I’m sure he’ll improve off of this. He’s always improving. I mean, physically and mentally he’s improving every time.”

Hollendorfer added, “We talked about being in front. 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.”

“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 that race (the Haskell). That’s the race that we’ve talked about. That doesn’t mean we’re absolutely going to do that (run in it). There are a few real tough horses that might go in that race, but we might run in there anyway.”

By Christine Oser