$82,830 John Battaglia Memorial, 1 1/16 miles, Turfway Park, Feb. 26, 2021 (10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Hush of a Storm, by Creative Cause Trainer: Billy Morey Jockey: Santiago Gonzalez Owner: Joseph P. Morey Jr. Revocable Trust Beyer Speed Figure: 86 HUSH OF A STORM continued his love affair with Turfway with his third straight victory, all following a debut on dirt in a maiden claimer at Churchill Downs in which he was eighth of 12 at 33-1. So while he has emerged as a top contender for next month’s Jeff Ruby – which this year offers a Derby berth via home cookin’ that dishes up 100 points to the winner – his lone dirt race, and the fact he was in for a tag that day, makes it extremely questionable as to his viability as a Derby horse. But, as with any horse who runs in the Derby exiting all-weather races, seeing how that horse trains on dirt at Churchill Downs leading up to the Derby can offer insight. Most don’t look as though they’ll adapt, but there are exceptions, like Animal Kingdom a decade ago. In this race, Hush of a Storm saved ground while toward the rear of the field around the first turn, advanced inside into the far turn, saved ground initially on the far turn, then, after encountering some brief traffic, was angled to the four path midway on the turn. He continued with his extended run into the lane, raced briefly on his wrong lead while drifting in and tightening things up for those inside him, then pulled away in the closing yards. LIKE THE KING, who finished second, raced between rivals into the first turn while just behind the leaders, then was ridden along to get into the clear in fourth. He moved into an ideal stalking spot into the far turn – third, in the three path – was asked aggressively anew midway on the turn, shied from the winner at midstretch and leaned in, causing Rafael Bejarano to briefly ease up on him to reduce congestion, then finished up well enough to be second. He needs to be ridden along almost the whole race, so his rider earns his pay for sure. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more GRETZKY THE GREAT, who was third, broke sharply from his inside draw and led into the first turn, faced increased pressure from PICO D’ORO heading down the backside, re-established the lead midway on the far turn with the rider looking back – fun fact, they’re there! – drifted off the rail entering the lane, was forced down toward the rail with the crowding in deep stretch, and just missed the place. His best races have been around one turn. HARD RYE GUY, who was fourth, was the unluckiest horse in the race and bears watching. He lacked early speed and trailed early while saving ground, made an extended run on the far turn while only having to go around one tiring rival, then went back to the rail for the stretch drive, a lane having opened when Gretzky the Great drifted out. But he had to slam on the brakes when the top three folded over on him, and he was not persevered with the final 50 yards. He deserved a better fate. His barn is known for racing its horses into shape, so expect continued improvement. CATMAN, who was fifth, was hampered by a wide draw and went into the first turn three to four paths wide while toward the rear of the field. He remained well back for much of the race, gained some ground while three paths wide on the far turn, didn’t swap leads until midstretch, and finished best of the rest while no threat to the top four. :: Bet horse racing on DRF Bets. Double Your First Deposit Up to $250. Join Now. TWIRLING MAMBA, who was sixth, was wrangled back leaving the gate and wound up midpack around the first turn while saving ground. He was taken off the rail nearing the far turn and went into the turn in the three path, was floated out farther by the onrushing Hush of a Storm – whom he couldn’t keep up with – and finished evenly. FORT MOULTRIE, who was seventh, raced three paths wide while midpack around the first turn, couldn’t keep up with Twirling Mamba heading to the far turn, was floated to the four and then five path on the turn, and had his jockey stop riding him midway on the turn. His rider then asked again upon entering the lane, and Fort Moultrie responded to some degree. Perhaps he’s green and needs blinkers? This was an odd performance, and he might be worth a gamble next time against softer or on turf, for which he is bred. Pico d’Oro, who was eighth, broke to his right leaving the gate but quickly got in gear to sit just off Gretzky the Great into the first turn. He drew even with Gretzky the Great down the backstretch and was alongside him for much of the far turn, but he steadily faded after entering the stretch. Both his two-turn races have been poor. NOTABLE EXCEPTION, who was ninth, raced between rivals, toward the rear of the field, in the two path, around the first turn. He yielded readily down the backstretch and was last entering the far turn, saved ground for much of the turn, but never got close. He won well on debut last summer on synthetic, but has been dreadful since. His debut was his only start with Lasix, but that alone doesn’t seem a reasonable explanation for his poor performances. THE PREDICAMENT, who finished 10th, drafted right behind Gretzky the Great around the first turn, followed the top pair to the far turn, had to wait in traffic slightly entering the far turn, but started to weaken midway on the turn and was practically eased the final furlong. BAKWENA, who was last of 11, broke out at the start, then advanced to be caught four paths wide toward the rear of the field entering the first turn. He was wide while midpack down the backstretch, went into the far turn four paths wide, dropped back to last, and raced on his wrong lead to midstretch in a dull performance.