Great White, a 3-year-old gelding by Volatile, upset bettors by winning the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park on February 21, despite finishing fifth in the earlier Leonatus Stakes. Purchased for $55,000 by Three Chimneys Farm, Great White showed significant improvement under trainer John Ennis and jockey Alex Achard, who executed a more aggressive race strategy this time. The victory earned Great White 20 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with the horse completing 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.83 and narrowly holding off late challengers like Fulleffort.

Trainer John Ennis, who partnered with Three Chimneys Farm after initially struggling to train Great White, believes the colt has much room to grow and could handle longer distances despite his sprinting pedigree. Ennis is considering future Derby prep races, possibly the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, where Great White would race on dirt for the first time. The colt’s physical and mental development, combined with his strong finishing ability, positions him as a promising contender for the Kentucky Derby and beyond.