Battaglia contenders unproven

Questions abound in most winter or early-spring stakes for 3-year-olds, particularly routes, in which many entrants are untested going a distance of ground. Saturday’s $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes continues that trend and offers the added wrinkle of a few runners being unproven on Polytrack, the synthetic surface at Turfway Park.

Three entrants have never raced on a synthetic track, including 3-1 shot Hot Dad, who has started on turf seven straight times after an eighth first out on dirt, and Fair Grounds invader It’s Your Nickel, an 8-1 shot on the morning line who figures to get bet down from that price.

Then there are those who have either not routed or run poorly in routes. They include Star Empire, Montu, Fulkerson, and 5-2 morning-line favorite En Hanse, the winner of the WEBN stakes at Turfway on Feb. 11.

Add that up, along with what appears to be an abundance of pace, and the Battaglia, a 1 1/16-mile prep for the Grade 3, $500,000 Spiral at Turfway on March 25, is very much a headscratcher.

If there is any clarity to the Battaglia, it is that trainer Mike Maker has strength in numbers. He trains four of the 12 entrants in the body of the field – Hot Dad, Hunka Burning Love, En Hanse, and Gorgeous Kitten – and would have a fifth starter if Prince Hansen draws into the race as the lone alsoeligible.

One out-of-town jockey has been named to ride in the race: the Fair Grounds-based James Graham, who has a return assignment on It’s Your Nickel for trainer Ken McPeek.

KEY CONTENDERS

Hot Dad, by Sidney’s Candy Last 3 Beyers: 87-81-70

◗ Showed his talent with the third behind Cowboy Culture and eventual Risen Star winner Girvin in the Keith Gee Memorial on turf at Fair Grounds, but being a late runner drawn on the inside, how he adapts to kickback from the Polytrack will largely determine how he performs.

En Hanse, by Hansen Last 3 Beyers: 83-58-77

◗ Is 2 for 2 on Polytrack and prefers to race on the lead, and though he should once again establish a forward position, the pace is expected to be fast, and he faded in two prior routes on turf and dirt.

Gorgeous Kitten, by Kitten’s Joy Last 3 Beyers: 73-57-74

◗ Although a wide trip could result from post 12, he has the bloodlines for effectiveness on this synthetic surface and at this distance, being by Kitten’s Joy. After beginning his career on turf in Florida, he won a onemile maiden race at Turfway on Feb. 18.