Blue Laser targets Battaglia Memorial

Blue Laser will make his 3-year-old debut next Saturday, March 5, after shipping north from Florida to run in the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

Winner of the Grade 3 Grey Stakes last October over the synthetic surface at Woodbine for owner WinStar Farm and trainer Mark Casse, Blue Laser will be making his first start since failing to finish in the Nov. 20 Delta Downs Jackpot.

“The colt will ship midweek from Ocala,” Casse said. “I’ve trained him some on the dirt at Palm Meadows, and I don’t think he handles it as well as the synthetic.”

Blue Laser is one of a handful of moderately accomplished 3-year-olds being pointed to the Battaglia, a 1 1/16-mile race that serves as the local prep for the annual Turfway showcase, the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes. The Grade 3, $500,000 Vinery Spiral will be run March 26.