Hush of a Storm Rallies to John Battaglia Score
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Photo: Coady Photography
Hush of a Storm wins the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park
Joseph P. Morey Jr. Revocable Trust's Hush of a Storm survived an inquiry and bested 10 other 3-year-olds in the Feb. 26 $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park, earning 10 points toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). The son of Creative Cause remained undefeated at Turfway with his third victory at the track from four starts.
Hush of a Storm was sent to post as the 6-1 third choice behind South Florida shipper Gretzky the Great, winner of the 2020 Summer Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine, and Like the King, an easy victor of a Dec. 4 Turfway allowance optional claimer.
Away slowly, Hush of a Storm had only three horses beat as even-money favorite Gretzky the Great sparred with Pico d'Oro through early fractions of :23.86 and :47.11. The bay cut into the leader's advantage as the field sped into the far turn and rider Santiago Gonzalez angled the colt three wide for the stretch run. After three quarters in 1:11.24, Hush of a Storm barreled down the middle of the track, sweeping past Like the King and Gretzky the Great despite bearing in for a 1 1/2 length score. Like the King edged Gretzky the Great by a neck for second.
Hush of a Storm wins the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park
Trained by William Morey, the New York-bred ran the 1 1/16 miles over the synthetic surface in 1:44.
After finishing off the board at Churchill Downs going seven furlongs in his debut, Hush of a Storm was stretched out to two turns and broke his maiden by 5 1/2 lengths over this surface. He followed up that effort with a game win in a Jan. 6 allowance optional claiming event.
The first foal out of the Flatter mare Hush Now, Hush of a Storm was bred by Berkshire Stud. He was sold as a 2-year-old for $75,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales April Sale.
The Battaglia serves as a prep for Turfway's key Kentucky Derby prep, the March 27 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). Following the Battaglia, Hush of a Storm is now ranked number 20 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
Video: John Battaglia Memorial S. (BT)