Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) winner Battle Hardened returned to the worktab Feb. 17 at Palm Meadows Training Center with an easy half-mile breeze in :49 4/5.
Trained by Eddie Kenneally for Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, Battle Hardened broke his maiden in the $200,000 event Feb. 4 at Tampa Bay Downs. It was the fourth lifetime start for the son of Giant's Causeway out of the Northern Fashion mare Jen's Fashion.
Battle Hardened is under consideration for the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II), also at 1 1/16 miles, on March 10.
The drill over a fast track was the 11th quickest of 14 on the morning at Palm Meadows.
Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Battle Hardened stalked the pace in fourth most of the way in the Sam Davis. He swept to the lead on the outside past mid-stretch and held on gamely for a 1 1/4-length tally, completing the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:44.58 on a fast track.
Battle Hardened came into the Sam Davis off a second-place effort in a 1 1/8-mile maiden test in which he finished a head behind Big Screen at Gulfstream Dec. 31. He debuted with a fourth-place finish at Churchill Downs Oct. 30 and also ran second at Churchill in a 1 1/16-mile maiden race Nov. 26.
His initial victory was worth $120,000 in graded earnings.