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Eleven evenly matched three-year-olds will go to the post for Saturday's John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park. The $100,000 prep for the Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) on March 22nd is practically a rerunning of the WEBN Stakes that took place on February 2nd. Five of the horses ran in the one mile WEBN will be stepping up an extra half furlong to the distance of the Battaglia.
Big Glen, who won the WEBN, is the likely favorite. The son of Cactus Ridge is trained by Frank Brothers, who has guided him through three wins in five lifetime starts, including an allowance victory in December, also at Turfway.
Challenging Big Glen for favoritism will be Briarwood Circle, a Smart Strike colt trained by Mark Casse. Briarwood Circle missed by a nose in the Display Stakes at Woodbine in November, two months after running second in the Grade 3 Summer Stakes on the turf. Finishing third in that race was Your Round, who has not seen the winner's circle since his maiden race in August. He finished 9th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, then third to Derby contender Monba in an allowance race at Churchill in November. He finished second to Big Glen in the WEBN and would not be a surprise in the Battaglia.
After running in two stakes races as a maiden, Best Buddy broke through with an eleven-length victory in a Hawthorne maiden race on January 6th. The son of Best of Luck has worked several bullets in preparation for this race.
The only filly in the race, Absolute Cindy, finished 6th to Indian Blessing in the Silverbulletday Stakes at the Fair Grounds following a third place finish in the Tropical Oaks on the turf. In November, she won the Caressing Stakes at Churchill Downs on the turf.
One horse worth a look will be Halo's King, a son of Halo's Image who broke his maiden at Turfway on the same day as the WEBN. He is just one example of why this race is so wide open with many possible winners.
Saratoga
Saratoga opens for the 143rd year on Friday, July 22 for an outstanding 40-day meeting that includes over 50 stakes races and 17 Grade 1 races. The marquee event of the meeting is the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1) on Saturday, Aug. 27.
Michael Dempsey will be providing his full card selections throughout the meeting. Mike’s Reports include his selections, analysis, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for every race.
Get your day off to a good start with Michael’s Free Pick of the day from Saratoga.
For information on Saratoga including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here.
Keeneland
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Churchill Downs
The spring/summer meeting at Churchill Downs gets underway on Saturday April 30, with 24 graded stakes on the betting menu. The marquee events are the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1).
Michael Dempsey will be providing Full Card Analysis for Churchill Downs from Friday through Sunday each week.
Each racing day Michael will be providing his Free Betting Selection of the day for Churchill Downs.
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Belmont Park
Racing in New York shifts to Belmont Park on Friday April 29 for the spring / summer meeting, which includes the Belmont Stakes (G1) on Saturday June 11.
Michael Dempsey will be providing Full Card Analysis for Belmont Park each racing day from Wednesday through Sunday.
Each racing day Michael will be providing his Free Betting Selection of the day for Belmont Park.
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Gulfstream Park
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Aqueduct
For Aqueduct racing info including racing dates, stakes schedule, track layout and contact information, Click Here
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Daily past performances, track entries and race results.