Race 7 at Turfway Park | Saturday, February 22 | Post Time 8:55 PM Eastern

John Battaglia Stakes | Purse $175,000 | Three Year Olds | One Mile and One Sixteenth

Analysis and top contenders:

California Burrito (5) may be an odd name for a horse but nevertheless he gets top billing in this year’s John Battaglia Stakes by virtue of his very strong seven length win four weeks ago at a mile at Turfway Park. He had finished fourth four weeks prior to that but under RED HOT Irving Moncada, who rides back, the colt established the pace and came home strongly. Despite winning that race leading from start to finish, he doesn’t need the lead to win as he closed for his other win in September and for second against sinners at this distance in November. Moncada also rode Comin in Hot (10) in his most recent race, winning the Turfway Prevue Stakes, but has chosen California Burrito here and it could be a wise choice because the colt is related to two stakes winners on all-weather including Stanley House, who was competitive on the all-weather at Woodbine in the big three-year-old races two years ago. Trainer Drury, who has won one-third of his races (seven of 22) at the meeting and jockey Moncada have an exceptional record together, with 9 wins from 30 starts on seven different horses, and this horse should add to their record together.

Baby Max (7) won the Leonatus Stakes over the track at a mile last month, his second win in three races around two turns, with the other start a near miss when a head back at the wire. Last year’s Leonatus Stakes winner was Epic ride, who lost in this race by inches, so Baby Max is a strong contender as well. He had made his local debut on December 6 and missed by a head then improve nicely second time at the meeting so should take another step forward and be a strong contender again.

King of Ashes (8) ships up from Florida after winning on their similar all-weather track at this distance on January 18. Like Baby Max, King of Ashes narrowly lost in his all-weather debut prior to that and is on a pattern for nice improvement. Trainer Walsh has nearly as good a record at the meeting as Drury, six for 24, and this colt has a nice closing kick. The main reason he’s rated just slightly lower than the other two is that win came in a maiden race whereas the other two have both beaten winners in addition to breaking their maidens.

Bets:

Win Bets:

California Burrito (5) at odds of 2 to 1 or more.

Baby Max (7) at odds of 5 to 2 or more.

King of Ashes (8) at odds of 7 to 2 or more.

Exacta: Box California Burrito (5), Baby Max (7) and King of Ashes (8).

Trifecta: California Burrito (5), Baby Max (7) and King of Ashes (8) over ALL over California Burrito (5), Baby Max (7) and King of Ashes (8).