Few foes for Battle of Midway

DEL MAR, Calif. – After Battle of Midway was retired and sent to stud, then returned to training after being found to be subfertile, it might have stood to reason that it would take him a while to get back into the right frame of mind.

But trainer Jerry Hollendorfer on Friday said he “didn’t see any difference” in the way Battle of Midway behaved now compared to before his retirement.

“From my own personal point of view, he looked the same and acted the same,” Hollendorfer said.

Battle of Midway was a distant second to Catalina Cruiser in his comeback race in the Pat O’Brien at Del Mar on Aug. 25, then had an eventful trip in the Kelso at Belmont Park a month later. Rather than point for a repeat bid in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Battle of Midway was kept at Santa Anita and got back to the winner’s circle last time out against a soft field in the Comma to the Top.

From a speed-figure standpoint, that was the thirdbest performance of Battle of Midway’s career, and he’s taken a step forward in each race since his first start back. He’ll be heavily favored to continue on an upswing on Sunday at Del Mar in the Grade 3, $100,000 Native Diver Stakes against just a handful of rivals.

The Native Diver is a race Hollendorfer is hoping moves Battle of Midway toward bigger and better things. A good performance will merit a start on Dec. 26, Santa Anita’s opening day, in the Grade 2 San Antonio, and if he runs well there, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Battle of Midway could end up in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream on Jan. 26.

“I think anyone with a handicap horse has the Pegasus in the back of their mind,” Hollendorfer said. First things first, though. “I want to run in this race and then the San Antonio, and then we’d consider that race, but it is perfect timing,” Hollendorfer said.

The Native Diver, like the San Antonio and the Pegasus, is at 1 1/8 miles.

Only six were entered in the Native Diver, and the field will be no more than five. Trainer John Sadler on Friday said that Gift Box would not run and would await the San Antonio. The Native Diver goes as race 3 on the nine-race card.

KEY CONTENDERS

Battle of Midway, by Smart Strike Last 3 Beyers: 99-98-89 ◗ He has two wins and a second in three starts at Del Mar. ◗ Flavien Prat rides him for the 10th consecutive time.

Dabster, by Curlin Last 3 Beyers: 99-93-92 ◗ He was second in the 1 3/4-mile Marathon at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2 last time out after victories in his two prior starts. ◗ He owns two wins and a third in three starts at Del Mar.