Battalion Runner Wins Gulfstream Feature

Battalion Runner wore down Beasley in the stretch  run and won by 1 1/4 lengths in Friday's eighth and feature race at Gulfstream Park.

The win in the 1 1/16 mile dirt allowance was the second in three career starts for the 3-year-old colt Battalion Runner, who is trained by Todd Pletcher.

Battalion Runner was the 1-5 favorite in the seven-horse field. With John Velazquez riding, he won in 1:43.37 on the track listed as fast.

The race had a $48,000 purse and a $75,000 optional claiming price.  None of the seven starters were in for a tag.

Pletcher indicated that a stakes race might be next for  Battalion Runner.

Pletcher said the battle his horse engaged in with Beasley through the lane was a good education for his colt, who had wired the field in his maiden victory at seven furlongs at Gulfstream on Dec. 31. Friday's race was the first around two turns for Battalion Runner.

Pletcher said all 3-year-old stakes options will be considered for Battalion Runner, including the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (Grade 2), at 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream on March 4.
Battalion Runner is a son of Unbridled Song, and is out of the Tapit mare Tamboz.  Owner St. Elias Stable bought Battalion Runner for $700,000 at a Keeneland sale in September 2015.
 

5 Battalion Runner	$2.40	$2.10	$2.10
1 Beasley		$2.80	$2.20
3 Painter's Rags			$2.40