Battle of Midway Purchased by WinStar, Don Alberto
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Battle of Midway (red cap) is a game runner-up to Gormley in the Santa Anita Derby
Battle of Midway, runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and 17th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, has been purchased in partnership by WinStar Farm and Don Alberto Stable from Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm.
The Smart Strike colt will remain in training with Jerry Hollendorfer as he prepares for a start in the May 6 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). Flavien Prat has the Derby mount.
"We are excited to join with WinStar on such an exciting racing prospect," said Fernando Diaz-Valdes of Don Alberto Stable. "Battle of Midway has shown tremendous potential, and we feel he is an excellent prospect for the Kentucky Derby and beyond. We have the utmost respect for Mr. Porter and the job he and his team have done in developing Battle of Midway, and we appreciate the opportunity to campaign him going forward."
"We very much look forward to our partnership with Don Alberto on Battle of Midway, and we believe this colt has a bright future as both a racehorse and stallion prospect," said WinStar president and CEO Elliott Walden. "Physically, it's easy to see why he was picked out at the Saratoga Select sale by Tom McGreevy, who's one of the best judges of a horse in the game.
"Battle of Midway ran well in the Santa Anita Derby after being hounded through fast fractions, and he has a lot of qualities that make him an exciting Kentucky Derby contender. When you think about him being one of the last top colts by Smart Strike—a proven sire of sires, you can't help but to think about his potential down the road as a stallion."
A $410,000 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga select yearling sale purchase by Fox Hill in 2015 from the Gainesway consignment, Battle of Midway broke his maiden at first asking in January at Santa Anita Park. The bay colt stopped the clock in 1:09 flat for six furlongs.
After placing in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) in his second start, he stretched out to capture a loaded Santa Anita allowance race before his valiant runner-up effort in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby earlier this month. In the Santa Anita Derby, he set a fast and contested pace before finishing a half-length short at the wire of the 1 1/8-mile test.
The performance earned Battle of Midway 40 points toward this year's Kentucky Derby, qualifying him for the 1 1/4-mile classic. Plans call for Battle of Midway to train at his home base of Santa Anita before shipping to Churchill Downs the week of the Derby.
An earner of $290,000 from four starts to date, Battle of Midway is out of the grade 1-winning Concerto mare Rigoletta.