BATTLE OF HASTINGS (G)) WINS $500,000 COLONIAL TURF CUP

Morning line favorite Battle of Hastings (GB) took the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup (Gr. II) by a head on Saturday at Colonial Downs for trainer Jeff Mullins.

Despite being rank under slow early fractions of :25.15 and :49.47, jockey Tyler Baze was able to settle the three year old gelding and sprint to a clear lead through the stretch, holding on to win.

“Once I got him settled,” says Baze, “it was just a matter of finding the right way home. Everything opened on the rail.”

A return to Colonial for the $750,000 Virginia Derby (Gr. II) has not been ruled out for Battle of Hastings (GB). Says owner Mike House, “The purse here was terrific – that’s what got us here. Everybody’s been wonderful.”

Straight Story, who led for the early quarter, finished second, with Lime Rickey closing into third by 1 ¼ lengths.

Take The Points faded from second in the early quarter to take fourth by a head, with pacesetter Al Khali finishing fifth. Rescue Squad raced along the rail to finish sixth, with Mark S the Cooler, Final Count, and Winning Vow rounding out the field.