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| Staff Writer |
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Juddmonte's Kentucky-bred thoroughbred, Batten Down, is turning heads as he prepares for a possible entry into the prestigious US$2 million Gr.1 Belmont Stakes. Under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, this son of Tapit is being eyed for the final leg of the Triple Crown series. The highly anticipated race, hosted at Saratoga Race Course on June 8th, spans 1 1/4 miles and promises an exciting display of racing talent.
The buzz around Batten Down’s participation is palpable. “I don't know if he'll get in or not—he's only broken his maiden,” remarked Mott, acknowledging the potential for exclusion should the race be oversubscribed.
Despite such concerns, the steady progress and impressive lineage of Batten Down offer a glimmer of hope. He shares his pedigree with Tacitus, another Mott-trained champion who earned second place in the 2019 Belmont Stakes and later triumphed in the 1 1/4-mile Surburban Stakes in 2020.
Batten Down’s racing journey has been one of consistent improvement. He started his career with a sixth-place finish in a seven-furlong sprint in January before nearly clinching victory in a subsequent 1 1/8 mile race. In his next outing over 1 1/16 miles, Batten Down secured a commendable third place, and he finally broke his maiden status with a win at his longest distance yet. His recent workout on May 20th at the Oklahoma dirt training track in Saratoga saw him cover five-eighths in 1:02.55 under the adept guidance of jockey Junior Alvarado. Mott lauded the session as "beautiful," commending Alvarado’s handling of the prospect.
As the Belmont Stakes draw closer, anticipation builds not just for Batten Down, but also for the potential field of contenders that includes notable trainers and their charges.
Trainer Ken McPeek is considering entries such as Mystik Dan, and possibly the Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna, depending on their stances following the Kentucky Derby.
Dornoch, another prominent name in the racing circuit and a dual graded stakes winner, is gearing up for the Belmont Stakes under the guidance of trainer Danny Gargan. “He loves it here,” noted Gargan, referring to their training grounds in Saratoga. “He’ll probably work Friday. We’ll get a solid work in him over the Oklahoma.”
Despite a challenging 10th place finish in the Kentucky Derby on May 4th, where he started from the rail and got shuffled back early, Dornoch has demonstrated resilience. Prior to the Derby, he enjoyed successive graded victories. He narrowly defeated Sierra Leone in the Gr.2 Remsen at Aqueduct in December, and in March, he clinched victory in the Gr.2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park. Even a fourth-place finish in the competitive Gr.1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland didn't dampen spirits.
“Dornoch is shooting for the Belmont,” affirmed Gargan. “He had a rough trip in the Derby and had no shot a hundred yards in.”
Gargan is also managing the post-Derby plans for Society Man, who finished 16th in the Derby following a difficult four-wide trip and a mild bid. This Good Magic gelding had caught attention with a strong runner-up performance to Resilience in the Gr.2 Wood Memorial.
With multiple options ahead, Gargan revealed that Society Man is being prepared for the Gr.3 Ohio Derby on June 22 at Thistledown as the top contender for their next stop. They are also considering the Gr.3 Matt Winn on June 9 at Churchill Downs and the Pegasus Stakes on June 15 at Monmouth Park.
“He’s good, too,” said Gargan. “He won’t run in the Belmont and he’ll also probably work Friday. He’s probably going to the Ohio Derby, but there’s the Matt Winn and a stake at Monmouth, too.”
As June 8th approaches, the excitement for the Belmont Stakes mounts. Whether Batten Down will secure a spot among the entries remains to be seen, but his potential and progress make him a compelling prospect. The Belmont Stakes promises an exhilarating show of equine prowess and the unfolding drama of contenders vying for glory on Saratoga's storied track. The effort and determination shown by trainers and their charges, from Mott’s steady work with Batten Down to Gargan’s plans for Dornoch and Society Man, signal thrilling times ahead.