Game Champali Overcomes Wide Post, Wins Boggy Battaglia
By: John Gaver III

(Mar. 1, 2003) - Lloyd Madison Farms Inc.'s Champali overcame the widest post position and boggy track conditions to notch his third consecutive stakes win at Turfway Park when the son of Glitterman gamely repulsed a determined closing bid from Chicken Soup Kid and drew off to win the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes by 3 ¼-lengths on Mar. 1 at the Florence, Ky. oval.

New York invader Grey Comet, who was sent postward as the 4-5 favorite, finished another four and a quarter lengths back in third. Honeagle, Wendlar, Paula's Pride, Tito's Beau, False Promises and Lx Commander rounded out the official order of finish. Steelyeyed and Grand (Ire) were late scratches.

Under an enterprising ride by jockey Jason Lumpkins, Champali stalked pacesetting Lx Commander and a pressing Grey Comet, who was under jockey Aaron Gryder's whip shortly after the break, through a quick opening quarter-mile of :22.90 and a half in :46.72. Lumpkins, who looked as if he had a ton of horse underneath him and could take control at any time, collared the front runners near the three-eighths pole then repelled a stout late bid from Chicken Soup Kid at the sixteenth pole to post a clear victory. The son of Glitterman covered a mile and a sixteenth over an extremely "sloppy" track in 1:46 1/5 for trainer Greg Foley. He returned $6, $4.40 and $2.60.

With the $62,000 winner's share of the Battaglia purse, Champali improved his career earnings to $250,474 while winning his sixth race from seven lifetime starts.

It is probable that, provided he comes out of the Battaglia in good order, Champali will point for the nine-furlong Lane's End Stakes (GII) at Turfway Park on Mar. 22.

« Back To Derby News