Somelikeithotbrown Takes John Battaglia Memorial
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Photo: Coady Photography
Somelikeithotbrown wins the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
A measured ride by jockey Rafael Hernandez put Somelikeithotbrown in the winner's circle after the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Feb. 15 at Turfway Park.
The Battaglia was the Big Brown colt's first stakes victory and his first start since he finished third in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T).
Somelikeithotbrown finished 3 1/2 lengths ahead of 29-1 long shot Dynamic Racer in second. Dabo was another length back in third. The final time for the 1 1/16-mile test for 3-year-olds on Turfway's synthetic track was 1:45.86.
Dynamic Racer and Maya Solomea went at it early, with the former getting the first quarter in :24.08 and the latter getting the half in :48.24. Maya Solomea gave way as Dynamic Racer hit the three-quarter mark in 1:13.30. Somelikeithotbrown settled toward the inside, a length or two behind the battling leaders. Dynamic Racer still had the lead as he hit the top of the stretch, but his head margin quickly disappeared after Hernandez sent the winner through a hole to the rail. The outcome was never in doubt after that move.
"I wanted to get him to relax," Hernandez said. "He'd had three months off, so I knew he would try to show me some speed. The only way I could get him to relax was to get him behind horses. He just exploded down the stretch. (Trainer) Mike (Maker) did a great job training him and keeping him in shape, and he came back today to show what he can do."
Group-1 placed The Mackem Bullet, the lone filly in the race, finished fourth, followed by Over Protective, Maya Solomea, Kentucky Allstar, and Zulu Legend, to complete the order of finish.
Three times graded stakes-placed, Somelikeithotbrown is out of the Tapit mare Marilyn Monroan. He was bred in New York by Hot Pink Stables and Sand Dollar Stables. Sand Dollar Stable also owns the horse in partnership with Skychai Racing.
The winner's share of the Battaglia Memorial's $75,000 purse increased Somelikeithotbrown's bankroll to $246,918. His record stands at 2-2-1 from six starts.
The Battaglia Memorial Stakes is a prep for the Jeff Ruby Steaks, Turfway's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) points race that runs March 9.