Epic Ride looks for back-to-back stakes wins in John Battaglia Memorial

Feb 27, 2024 Brisnet.com Staff

Epic Ride headlines an oversubscribed field of 14 three-year-olds entered in the $150,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park on Saturday.

Named in honor of the longtime General Manager of Latonia Race Track and Turfway Park, the John Battaglia Memorial will go as Race 6 at 8:25 p.m. ET. Wagering is available at TwinSpires.com.

Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Battaglia Memorial will award the top five finishers qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 towards a spot in the starting gate for the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1).

#5 Epic Ride puts on a show in the Leonatus S. at Turfway Park under @abeschizza for trainer @johnennis35! 🏆

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/CXepuY718O

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 3, 2024

Epic Ride has been impressive in his young three-race career at Turfway, where he won last month's Leonatus S. by four lengths. A son of Blame, Epic Ride just missed winning his career debut when he made a late surge up the rail and lost by a neck to Smokey Smokey. At second asking, Epic Ride was much the best winning by five lengths against 11 rivals in a maiden special weight contest.

Among Epic Ride's rivals are a trio from top trainer Brad Cox's stable – Encino, Fidget, and Gettysburg Address. Encino, who was supplemented for this race, recently won a maiden special weight at Turfway. He is joined by Smarty Jones S. fourth-place finisher Gettysburg Address and allowance winner Fidget.

Another breakthrough maiden winner entered is Bolt At Midnight, who earned a stout 92 Brisnet Speed Rating winning three weeks ago at Turfway in front-running fashion.