Don Alberto Stable’s and WinStar Farm’s Battle of Midway prevailed over McKinzie by a half-length after a spirited stretch duel in Saturday’s $200,000 San Pasqual S. (G2) at Santa Anita Park.
Making his 5-year-old debut, Battle of Midway had to overcome a wide trip on both turns and a stiff challenge from McKinzie, who did not yield until the final strides. Going into the first turn, Battle of Midway was hung four-wide, but managed to work up to within a length of the lead after a half-mile in :46.09.
He was three wide on the second bend and head-to-head with McKinzie for the lead in upper stretch. McKinize got his head in front in mid-stretch, but the eventual winner reclaimed the lead inside the final sixteenth to secure fourth career graded stakes win.
“He’s really a good horse,” Battle of Midway’s trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said. “I hope what he can do this year will give him a lot more credit than what he already has.”
Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) as a 3-year-old, Battle of Midway upped his earnings to $1,589,049 and record to 8-4-2 in 16 starts. He is nominated to both the Dubail World Cup (G1) and Santa Anita H. (G1).
