Stimulating stretch duels were the subject of the day on February 22nd. Nine hours after the sensational Saudi Cup fight between Forever Teenage and Romantic Warrior, another close ending in Turfway Park took place when California Burrito Baby Max overtook to win John Battaglia Memorial.
Sure, this duel was only for $ 173,500 instead of $ 20 million, but the Battaglia Memorial win was just as electrifying for the connections between California Burrito.
“It was fantastic,” said coach Thomas Drury Jr. about California Burrito's performance. “This horse continues to go the right way. It was a lot of fun watching him and it is an honor for me to be part of it. “
The victory was achieved with an experienced journey through the apprentice Jockey Irving Moncada, who said Drury wanted to be aggressive. Moncada broke well, pushed the California Burrito to the top and established itself on command.
“He relaxed for me and I was able to give him a breather,” said Moncada. “When I called him, he was exactly for me. It was really a question of whether he could keep the pace. “
In its previous start, an optional claim to the claim of allowances on January 24th on January 24, the Army Maultier Colt set up leisurely factions of: 26.13 or: 51.64 for a quarter mile or half a mile. This time he went faster in: 24.50 and: 49.41.
“He proved today that he could get faster,” said Moncada.
The test came when Baby Max challenged the Pacesetter in the quarter, but the stubborn California Burrito would not give in.
The two were even for a eighth miles, but when California Burrito switched the leads and while Baby Max went out a little, he achieved the command again and hit the finish line 3 of half a length. He completed 1 1/16 miles in 1: 45.98 and paid $ 9.42 to win. The maximum promise was closed from the last to third place.
The John Battaglia Memorial is part of the Churchill Downs road to the Kentucky Derby series, and as such, the five best Battaglia finish qualification points received the 151st Kentucky Derby, which from Woodford Reserve on a Skala 20-6-4- 2 was presented. Battaglia Morning-Line First Resort, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes last autumn, was scratched on February 21st for leg stiffness.
Although his last two points were on Turfways Tapeta surface, California Burrito has been detected on the Churchill Downs Dirt. He broke his virgin on the surface and traveled seven Furlongs in a race of 150,000 US dollars.
“His first race (a sixth place in Ellis Park in July) was a head scraper, we thought he would go well and not” run where he could have been bought by another owner. “We knew that we could get through with it.”
You were right when the Colt was not used in Kentucky by Westbrook stalls and now holds a record of 3-1-0 in six starts to the income of $ 222,941.
Drury said that the horse has been flourishing since moving to Turfway and expects it to continue to get stronger.
“By default, he has taken the lead in the last few times,” said Drury. “He doesn't have to be there, I think he's a versatile horse. We worked him behind horses in the morning. He seems to manage the setback well. “
Moncada also thrives in Turfway, who leads the Jockeys rating of the meeting.
“As an apprentice, I just want to do the best I can,” said the newborn driver from Lexington. “Make yourself a name here in Kentucky. I am really elated to do it here in Kentucky. “
Despite the pressure to be on the derby trail, Drury said that neither he nor the Habermans ever fluctuated to keep Moncada on board.
“I think this child has the chance to be a driver of the next level, and we are elated to have it if we can get it,” said Drury. “Where this child is going, the sky is the border.”
