Turfway’s spur of the Road to the Kentucky Derby gets underway Saturday, February 21 with the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes! The race offers a $175,000 purse as well as 20-10-6-4-2 points toward Kentucky Derby qualification – enough to put the winner well on their way to a berth in the Run for the Roses, and enough to set anyone who runs well up for a peak effort in the 100-point Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) in March.
The Battaglia is also one of the best horse racing betting opportunities of the Kentucky Derby trail. The 1 1/16-mile race drew an overflow field of 13, 12 in the main field and one intriguing entry on the also-eligible list. With a mixture of familiar stakes contenders and rising new stars, including several trying a Tapeta surface for the first time, it’s a great place to bet some prices.
Keep on reading to find out the best bets for the 2026 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, as well as the best sites for betting horse racing online!
John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Online Betting
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John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Field
This is the official field for the 2026 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning-line odds for each runner:
- Street Beast (Ben Colebrook/Luan Machado) - 5/2
- Steel Imperium (Caio Caramori/Dylan Machado) - 15/1
- Maximus Prime (Anthony Mitchell/Walter Rodriguez) - 30/1
- Kilo Tango (Brad Cox/Fernando de la Cruz) - 12/1
- Baytown Dreamer (Paul McEntee/Orlando Bocachica) - 30/1
- Time for Money (John Ennis/Danny Sheehy) - 30/1
- Attfield (Thomas Morley/Ricardo Santana, Jr.) - 8/1
- Great White (John Ennis/Alex Achard) - 15/1
- Stop the Car (Brendan Walsh/Edgar Morales) - 8/1
- Aces Honor (Ethan West/Victor Carrasco) - 15/1
- Fulleffort (Brad Cox/Vincent Cheminaud) - 3/1
- Two Out Hero (Kevin Attard/Rafael Hernandez) - 7/2
- Small Town (Michael McCarthy/Walter Rodriguez) - 12/1 - ALSO ELIGIBLE
Keep in mind that the morning-line odds are a useful guide to which horses are expected to take play in the race, but they are no guarantee of a price if you bet the race on track or at an off-track betting parlor. Your best bet is to play the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes online.
If you bet the race online, it is more convenient because you can play from anywhere with an internet connection. Also, many online betting sites offer fixed-odds wagering on major races. That way you can lock in the best price just by placing a bet, without having to worry about late action or odds swings. Then, you can watch the race sure about what you’ll cash when your horse crosses the wire first!
These are the best online sportsbooks for betting on horse racing:
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street Beast | +250 | +250 | +250 |
| Fulleffort | +300 | +300 | +300 |
| Two Out Hero | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Attfield | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Stop the Car | +800 | +800 | +800 |
John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Handicapping
These horses are the best bets for the 2026 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes:
John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Top Choice
Two Out Hero is the best bet in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes. He will be ridden by Rafael Hernandez, not only his regular pilot from his two-year-old season but also a rider who frequently comes through in big races. Hernandez rode Two Out Hero in all three of his starts at Woodbine last year – a maiden win on Tapeta, a stakes win on the grass, and a Grade 1 placing in his first start going two turns. He can take advantage of his mount’s tactical speed.
Though he hasn’t raced since last September, trainer Kevin Attard excels with horses coming in off of long layoffs and Two Out Hero has been training regularly toward his return. If he picks up where he left off he shapes as a major contender, and if he moved forward at all over the last few months then he may prove very hard to beat.
John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Exotics Picks
If Small Town draws in off the also-eligible list, give him a very long look. He has only raced once, in a maiden sprint at Turfway, but his female family is all distance and he should thrive over the longer trip. He will be partnered again by high-percentage local rider Walter Rodriguez, who can give him a good outside stalking trip, and trainer Michael McCarthy often shines with horses in seemingly ambitious spots.
Stop the Car can rebound off of a disappointing race in the Lecomte (G3) last out. Though he has to show he can handle Tapeta, he has the tactical speed to work out a good trip just behind a less-than-fiery pace. If he improves second off his freshening for trainer Brendan Walsh, he’ll be a factor in the lane.
Attfield showed good tactical speed in a stakes win over two turns last out, and turf form often transfers to Tapeta. Time for Money will be a huge price; his form is muddled, but the better races are closer to the conditions of this one, making him a good price chance underneath. Without a lot of pace drawn in, if Street Beast can overcome the rail draw, he may be good enough to take them all the way around.
Free John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Picks
You have your betting account set up and you know the best horses in the field. Now, all that’s left to do is place your online bets for the 2026 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes!
Here are the expert best bets for the race:
- $20 to win - #12 Two Out Hero
- $1 exacta key - #12 Two Out Hero with #9 Stop the Car, #13 Small Town (if Small Town draws in)
- $1 exacta key - #12 Two Out Hero with #7 Attfield, #9 Stop the Car, (if Small Town does not draw in)
- $0.50 trifecta key - #12 Two Out Hero with #6 Time for Money, #7 Attfield, #9 Stop the Car, #13 Small Town
- $0.20 superfecta key - #12 Two Out Hero with #1 Street Beast, #6 Time for Money, #7 Attfield, #9 Stop the Car, #13 Small Town
