Battle of Hastings ended a 10-race drought when he found clear sailing on the outside
through the stretch to win the $111,200 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT)
over a firm Churchill Downs turf course Nov. 4.
Ridden for the first time by Joel Rosario, the winning British-bred
4-year-old gelding tallied by 2 1/2 lengths for owner Michael House and
new trainer Greg Fox. Formerly based in Southern California with
trainer Jeff Mullins, Battle of Hastings recorded his first victory
since taking the Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) by a head in July 2009.
Battle of Hastings was traveling comfortably between horses in fifth
before advancing through a gap on the final turn and shifting out four
wide at the top of the lane. Closing smartly, he grabbed the lead by a
head over Allie's Event
at the eighth pole. The second choice in the field of eight then kicked
clear in the final furlong to win as much the best while completing the
1 1/8-mile distance in 1:48.90.
Read More