John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
The John Battaglia Memorial Stakes is a race for thoroughbred horses held in early March at Turfway Park. The race is open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-sixteenth miles on the polytrack. The race is an ungraded stakes with a current purse of $75,000.
| Listed race | |
| Location | Turfway Park Florence, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1982 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Turfway Park |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 1⁄16 miles (8 1⁄2 furlongs) |
| Surface | PolyTrack |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $75,000 |
Begun in 1982, the race is a prep to the Jeff Ruby Steaks.
John Battaglia was the former general manager of the old Latonia Race Track (now Turfway). He also was the general manager of Miles Park (race track) in Louisville, Kentucky. His son, Mike Battaglia, served as the track announcer at Turfway until early 2016 "still calls the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes every year" and is also a racing analyst for NBC Sports.
Winners
The following list are the winners of the race.[1]
- 2020 - Invador
- 2019 - Somelikeithotbrown
- 2018 - Magicalmeister
- 2017 - It's Your Nickel
- 2016 - Surgical Strike
- 2015 - Royal Son
- 2014 - Solitary Ranger
- 2013 - General Election
- 2012 - State of Play
- 2011 - Positive Response
- 2010 - Vow to Wager
- 2009 - Proceed Bee
- 2008 - Absolutely Cindy (filly)
- 2007 - Catman Running
- 2006 - Laity
- 2005 - Magna Graduate
- 2004 - Silver Minister
- 2003 - Champali
- 2002 - Request For Parole
- 2001 - Bonnie Scot
- 2000 - Nature
- 1999 - K One King
- 1998 - Daniel My Brother
- 1997 - Concerto
- 1996 - Beefchopper
- 1995 - Car Dealer
- 1994 - Mahogany Hall
- 1993 - Fafa Lemos
- 1992 - Quiet Enjoyment
- 1991 - Discover
- 1990 - Private School
- 1989 - Revive
- 1988 - Glory Affair
- 1987 - Lt. Lao (filly)
- 1986 - Blanford Park
- 1985 - Aggie's Best
- 1984 - Magic Ten
- 1983 - Runs Like A Prince
- 1982 - Baraco
The 2021 edition of the race was made a points race on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby.
References
- "Winners John Battaglia Memorial Stakes (L)". Turfway Park official web site. 2012.