By Christie DeBernardis
“TDN Rising Star” Battle of Midway (Smart Strike) makes his first start since a game third in the May 6 GI Kentucky Derby in Saturday's GIII Affirmed S. Runner-up in the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 8 prior to his effort at Churchill last time, the bay hopes to use this test as a stepping stone to Monmouth Park's GI Haskell Invitational S. July 30, according to his trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
The favorite's biggest competition is likely to be Rockingham Ranch's Arms Runner (Overdriven), if he can prove to be as talented routing on dirt as he is sprinting on turf. A debut winner on the Santa Anita lawn Apr. 20, the half-brother to GSW & MGISP Calculator (In Summation) followed suit with a victory in the Desert Code S. going 6 1/2 panels on the grass May 13.
Doug O'Neill saddles Calumet Farm's Term of Art (Tiznow), winner of the GIII Cecil B. DeMille S. last term. Third in the GII San Felipe S. Mar. 11 and seventh in the Santa Anita Derby, the bay was 10th when last seen in the GI Preakness S. May 20.
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