4th-Churchill Downs, $117,750, Msw, 4-30, 3yo/up, 1 1/4m, 2:02.49, ft, 8 3/4 lengths.
BATTEN DOWN (c, 3, Tapit–Close Hatches {Ch. Older Mare, MGISW, $2,707,300}, by First Defence), a full-brother to Tacitus (MGSW & MGISP, $3,767,350), romped home the easiest of winners when stretched to 10 furlongs at Churchill Downs Tuesday. A distant sixth in his seven-furlong unveiling Jan. 27, the gray missed by just a neck when second after setting the pace going nine furlongs at Gulfstream Feb. 24 and was beaten a half-length when third going 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland last time out Apr. 6. The 3-5 favorite broke on top and was tugging under a strong hold through fractions of :23.57 and :48.08. He pulled further clear without being asked turning for home, hit the top of the stretch in front by some five lengths and effortlessly extended his advantage down the lane before finishing under wraps and 8 3/4 lengths in front of Daily Grind (Medaglia d'Oro) was second. In addition to Tacitus, Batten Down is also a full to Scylla (GSP, $174,115), who was third in the Apr. 19 GIII Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland. Champion Close Hatches has a 2-year-old filly by Constitution, a yearling filly by Uncle Mo and she produced a filly by Gun Runner this year. The mare is a full-sister to the late GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Lockdown, who produced champion Idiomatic (Curlin). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Lifetime Record: 4-1-1-1, $94,850.
O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-William I. Mott.
#2 BATTEN DOWN ($3.28) ran them off their feet going gate-to-wire to break his maiden in career start four in race 4 at Churchill Downs. The son of Tapit was ridden by @JuniorandKellyA and is trained by Bill Mott.
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