Saturday is the John Battaglia Stakes at Turfway Park. Twenty Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be awarded to the winner of Saturday’s contest.

The race also offers synthetic runners a useful prep ahead of the March 21st Jeff Ruby Steaks.

The Battaglia, held on the Turfway Tapeta Footings track, attracted an overflow field of 13. Here is a brief look at that field:

1. STREET BEAST [ML 5-2] Jockey: Luan Machado. Trainer: Ben Colebrook. He adapted really well from turf to Tapeta by winning the Leonatus Stakes here in front-running style. With his speed and the rail, he could wire this one.

2. STEEL IMPERIUM [ML 15-1] Jockey: Dylan Machado. Trainer: Caio Caramori. Rallied nicely to win his debut at six furlongs. Is stretching out to two turns here but being a son of Belmont Stakes winner ESSENTIAL QUALITY would seem to indicate he’ll be okay with that.

3. MAXIMUS PRIME [ML 30-1] Jockey: Walter Rodriguez. Trainer: Anthony Mitchel. Has late closing speed but is still a Maiden after seven starts and seems overmatched here.

4. KILO TANGO [ML 12-1] Jockey: Fernando De La Cruz. Trainer: Brad Cox. Looked good in his Tapeta debut, rallying from 5th at the eighth pole to win, running a mile. If he continues to improve, he could be a factor here.

5. BAYTOWN DREAMER [ML 30-1] Jockey: Orlando Bocachica. Trainer: Paul McEntee. Ran a big race when 3rd in the Smarty Jones Stakes at 84-1 then flopped in the tougher Southwest Stakes. He has turf experience but, on this surface…?

6. TIME FOR MONEY [ML 30-1] Jockey: Danny Sheehy. Trainer: John Ennis. Ran 4th as the favorite in his first try on Tapeta coming in with a slow time. Look elsewhere..

7. ATTFIELD [ML 8-1] Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr. Trainer: Thomas Morley. This is his first start on Tapeta but he ran 2nd in a Grade 3 on turf, could be live here if he transfers that form. Well respected rider and trainer help his appeal as well.

8. GREAT WHITE [ML 15-1] Jockey: Alex Achard. Trainer: John Ennis. Won his debut here and then failed to hit the board in the Leonatus Stakes, finishing 5th. A step forward might land him in exotic plays.

9. STOP THE CAR [ML 8-1] Jockey: Edgar Morales. Trainer: Brendan Walsh. Won his first two starts, then finished 7th against better company in the Lecomte Stakes in his Stakes debut. His first go-round on the Tapeta. If the value is there, he’s worth a look.

10. ACES OF HONOR [ML 15-1] Jockey: Victor Carrasco. Trainer: Ethan West. Another going on Tapeta for the first time. Won a turf Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park last out. Has the potential to make some noise here.

11. FULLEFFORT [ML 3-1] Jockey: Vincent Cheminaud. Trainer: Brad Cox.  He rallied for 2nd in the Leonatus as the 6-5 favorite. Should like the added distance but the post position is not ideal.

12. TWO OUT HERO [ML 7-2] Jockey: Rafael Hernandez. Trainer: Kevin Attard. Had a rough trip when 3rd in a Grade 1 Turf Stakes at Woodbine. Won on Tapeta here in his career debut by 12 lengths. The post is bothersome, but he hasn’t raced since September and should show enough speed out of the gate to gain a good position.

13. SMALL TOWN [ML 12-1] Jockey: Walter Rodriguez. Trainer: Michael McCarthy. Will need a Scratch to run. Won his career debut here and time for that race was good, but it was only at six furlongs. If he goes, this post, and a lack of experience could be detrimental to his success.

The John Battaglia Stakes is listed as race 9 on a card of 10, with a scheduled Post Time of 9:55 PM, Eastern.

Best of luck however you play it.