Battaglia Looks Wide Open With First Resort's Scratch

Godolphin's First Resort will scratch from the $175,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Feb. 22 at Turfway Park after exiting a workout earlier this week with stiffness in his left hind leg, according to trainer Eoin Harty. Considered a leading prospect on the Road to the Kentucky Derby following a victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) last fall at Churchill Downs, he worked a half-mile in :51 1/5 at Turfway Park Feb. 18 but showed signs of stiffness later. "I worked him (Tuesday), and by Wednesday, he was a little stiff behind," Harty said. "He hasn't really improved, so we're erring on the side of caution to get him back to 100% before he runs again." Contested at 1 1/16 miles, the John Battaglia Memorial will go as the featured seventh race Saturday at 8:55 p.m. ET. It offers qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby on 20-10-6-4-2 scale to its top five finishers. With First Resort withdrawn, Coming in Hot is the next-shortest price on the morning line at 5-1. He has won two straight, most recently taking the Jan. 4 Turfway Prevue Stakes for trainer John Ennis and owners Rose Hill Farm, Vincent Colbert, John Trumbulovic, and James Connor. The son of Maclean's Music has exclusively sprinted in seven starts. Those established at a route at Turfway include California Burrito and Baby Max. First Resort's scratch provides an opportunity for also-eligible Special Caliber to draw into the field.