This weekend’s lone stateside Derby qualifier is the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park.

The race honors John Battaglia, former general manager at Latonia (now Turfway) and other tracks.

His son, oddsmaker and retired announcer Mike Battaglia, called the Kentucky Derby from 1978-1996.

Inaugurated in 1982, the John Battaglia Memorial was added to the Road to the Kentucky Derby series in 2021, and the 1 1/16-mile race on the Tapeta main track offers points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis toward a berth in the Run for the Roses on May 2nd.

It’s the first of two Kentucky Derby qualifiers at the Northern Kentucky oval. Turfway is also host to the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on March 21st- a major qualifier awarding points on a 100-50-25-25-10 scale.

The Battaglia Memorial gained some significance in 2022 when it produced its first Kentucky Derby winner, RICH STRIKE, who finished 4th in the Battaglia Memorial two starts prior to the Derby before recording an 80-1 upset under the Twin Spires.

The 2022 winner of the Battaglia Memorial– TIZ THE BOMB, finished 9th in the Kentucky Derby.

On Friday the Daily Racing Blog will take a look at the field for the 2026 edition of the Battaglia Memorial Stakes. So be sure to stop back.