Will ‘Battle’ Be Tested?

Fresh off a victory in the Kentucky Cup Turf Dash at Kentucky Downs, Battle Won will try for his third win in his last six starts in today’s $75,000 Woodford County at Keeneland.

Trained by Chuck Simon for owner Jay Manoogian, Battle Won, a 4-year-old Honour And Glory gelding, had finished off the board in his only previous turf start before winning the Kentucky Cup Turf Dash by 1 1/4 lengths on Sept. 25.

Rafael Bejarano, who rode Battle Won for the first time in the win, has the mount again.

The field in the 5 1/2 -furlong Woodford County also includes Mighty Beau, who has been first or second in 17 of 30 starts; Justice For Auston, a six-time winner on the grass; Abderian, who has earned more than $357,000 while hitting the board in 25 of 41; Banned In Boston, Chosen Chief and the speedy Wildcat Shoes, who will make his first start since July 17 for owner Patricia Blass and trainer Jinks Fires.

Owned by Michael Bruder and trained by Dale Romans, Justice For Auston will be ridden by Pat Day, who won the last two times he rode the 5-year-old gelded son of Lit de Justice.

Race of the day: Long Range Missile, who has won his first two starts for owner B. Wayne Hughes and trainer Ron Ellis, will make his Santa Anita debut in today’s third. Tyler Baze will ride the 3-year-old Tactical Cat colt in the $45,000 allowance at six furlongs. Grand Appointment, Indian Country, Spellbinder, Woke Up Dreamin and P Town John will provide the opposition.

One for the road: Magna Graduate makes his first start for trainer Patrick Byrne today, drops out of a Grade III and should be tough to beat in today’s eighth at Keeneland. Day will ride the 2-year-old son of Honor Grades in the $52,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles. Other contenders include Copy My Notes, Father Weist (who switches to Bejarano), Melissa’s Comet, Real Dandy and Devilment.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Long Range Missile, Indian Country and Woke Up Dreamin in the third, Men Only in the fourth and all in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/61. Money: Previous day/meet total: $3.80/$342.50. Total money bet: $310.