Encoder, Billy Batts rematch in Santa Anita's Zuma Beach

Photo: Benoit Photo
One-two finishers when last they met, Hronis Racing’s Encoder and Rockingham Ranch’s Billy Batts will renew acquaintances as they head a field of seven juveniles going one mile on turf in Sunday’s $100,000 Zuma Beach Stakes at Santa Anita.
Separated by a head in the one mile Del Mar Juvenile Turf Sept. 1, Encoder, who was off as the 3-5 favorite, again rates top billing with Flavien Prat riding back.
ENCODER 
Owner:  Hronis Racing, LLC                                                      
Trainer:  John Sadler
A first out five furlong turf maiden winner at 3-1 on Aug. 7, this Kentucky-bred colt by English Channel would appear to have any kind of future as he tries to remain unbeaten in his third start. Similar to his plan of attack first time out, Encoder was attentive to the pace in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf as the 3-5 favorite and pounced late with Prat, who has been aboard for both wins.
BILLY BATTS 
Owner:  Rockingham Ranch                                                   
Trainer:  Peter Miller
Off at 3-1 in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf, this ridgling by City Zip went to the front immediately, opened up by two lengths at the half mile and gave way grudgingly to Encoder in a game effort.  Based in Kentucky for his first three starts, Billy Batts broke his maiden two starts back going a mile on grass at Del Mar Aug. 10. He’ll be ridden for the first time on Sunday by Norberto Arroyo, Jr.
2019 Zuma Beach (LS)
*Rating is based on HRN fan votes, which rank the Top Active Horses in training.
RankSilksHorse / SireRatingTrainer / JockeyLast StartStatus
 Hariboux
Havana Gold
J. Mullins
D. Van Dyke
Entered
 Encoder
English Channel
5.84
J. Sadler
F. Prat
1st, 2019 Del Mar Juvenile Turf (LS)
Entered
 Hit The Road
More Than Ready
4.84
D. Blacker
V. Espinoza
1st, Dmr MSW (7/28/2019-R6)
Entered
 Billy Batts
City Zip
4.45
P. Miller
N. Arroyo
2nd, 2019 Del Mar Juvenile Turf (LS)
Entered
 Club Aspen
Clubhouse Ride
5.59
C. Lewis
J. Velez
5th, 2019 I'm Smokin (RS)
Entered
 War Beast
Declaration of War
4.79
D. O'Neill
A. Cedillo
1st, Dmr MSW (9/1/2019-R5)
Entered
 Cool Runnings
American Pharoah
4.79
J. Desormeaux
K. Desormeaux
3rd, Dmr MSW (9/1/2019-R5)
Entered

Read More

If there is one thing pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager taught me when it closed...
Peter Eurton’s eastward expansion is working out quite well. His earnings of $3.9 million last year are his...
Between running a private-equity fund that bears his name and flying to New York for studio assignments analyzing...
Forever Young , fresh off his repeat win in the Group 1, $20 million Saudi Cup, arrived at...
This is the 11th installment of a weekly feature on Horse Racing Nation that tracks Kentucky Derby horses...