7th-SA, $58,043, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($75,000), 3-9, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:44.16, ft.
BATTLE OF MIDWAY (c, 3, Smart Strike–Rigoletta {GISW, $184,070}, by Concerto), third behind Iliad (Ghostzapper) in the Feb. 12 seven-furlong GII San Vicente S., determinedly held off the late-closing Reach the World (Tapit) by a neck to earn the second victory of his three-race career in his first try at two turns Thursday at Santa Anita. Sent off the 9-5 second choice, Battle of Midway was four wide into the first turn while chasing the pace. He rated within striking distance and was out in the clear as the field bunched up and favored Reach the World was in tight through a half in :47.33. Battle of Midway ranged up three wide turning for home, hit the front after three-quarters in 1:12.60 and opened a clear advantage. Reach the World closed valiantly once free of traffic, but just missed catching the winner. Battle of Midway, a $410,000 FTSAUG yearling, was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' after his 3 1/4-length debut win going six furlongs at Santa Anita Jan. 21 and came home eight lengths adrift of Iliad when third in the San Vicente. Eric and Paula Nygaard's Thor-Bred Stables purchased Rigoletta for $35,000 at the 2010 OBS April sale and the mare won that year's GI Oak Leaf S. in the couple's colors. Now nine, Rigoletta produced a colt by Medaglia d'Oro last year and was bred back to Empire Maker. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-0-1, $90,000.
O-Fox Hill Farms, Inc.; B-Thor-Bred Stables, LLC (KY); T-Jerry Hollendorfer.[bullet ad=”thorbred”]
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