Battle of Midway outduels Dabster to take Del Mar’s Native Diver S. (G3)

Battle of Midway and Dabster staged a virtual match race in Sunday’s $100,000 Native Diver S. (G3) at Del Mar, with the WinStar Farm’s colorbearer proving best by a neck over his foe.

It was some 30 lengths back to Isotherm in the field of three that was cut in half by pre-race scratches.

Co-owned with Don Alberto Stables, Battle of Midway improved his record to 7-3-2 in 14 starts. The 4-year-old has victories in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and Affirmed S. (G3) on his resume, as well as placing in the 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1).

Battle of Midway and Dabster traded the top two spot a couple of times in the first half-mile, then the eventual winner asserted himself and would never allow Dabster to head him the rest of the way. The final time for the 1 1/8-miles was 1:50.23.

“We thought the tactics of Dabster would be to try and get the lead or be right there with us, so it worked out kind of like we thought it would,” said Battle of Midway’s trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. “They rode a good tactic trying to beat us, but he showed some guts. Sometimes they have to. In the end, we were a neck ahead and that worked out for us. (Battle of Midway) is very businesslike and this will get him ready for his next race.”

Battle of Midway’s win upped his lifetime earnings to $1,409,049.