Battaglia Memorial draws 12 3-year-olds

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Florence, KY (Sports Network) - A dozen evenly matched 3-year-olds will go postward in Saturday's $75,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park. The 1 1/16-mile stakes is the final local prep for the $550,000 Spiral Stakes on March 23.

Trying for his first victory of the year will be Star Contender who was the defeated favorite in the Gulfstream Park Derby behind Itsmyluckyday on New Year's Day. Trained by Mark Casse, Star Contender will start from post 10 with Norberto Arroyo Jr. in the saddle.

Star Contender, owned by John Oxley, finished sixth in the Gulfstream Park Derby as the 17-10 top choice. He lost to Itsmyluckyday by more than 30- lengths.

The colt began his career at Woodbine where he finished third in the Simcoe Stakes in his debut. He followed with his maiden win and then captured the Cup & Saucer Stakes at Woodbine. Remaining at the Toronto track the colt finished second in the Coronation Futurity.

Star Contender has banked $264,398 with two wins in five starts.

From the rail out here is the field for John Battaglia Memorial: Stormin Monarcho, Florent Geroux; Silver Tongued, Roberto Morales; Mellow Fellow, Perry Ouzts; Let's Run, Ben Creed; Admiral Kitten, Francisco Torres; For Greater Glory, Marcelino Pedroza; General Election, Albin Jimenez; Takin the Sloroad, Thomas Pompell; Bye Bye Bernie, Rodney Prescott; Star Contender, Norberto Arroyo Jr.; Avare, Shane Sellers and Giant Finish, Gabriel Saez.

Post-time for the Battaglia Memorial is set for 5:11 p.m. (ET).