Battle of Midway, who starts in Saturday's Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar, is much better than his sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 30 indicates.

Battle of Midway broke slowly in the Haskell, was rushed into contention on the inside, faced pressure and was not persevered with in the final furlong when beaten. He lost by 8 3-4 lengths to Girvin.

For the Shared Belief, Battle of Midway (7) drew the outside post after starting from the rail in the Haskell. Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has added blinkers, and jockey Flavien Prat retains the mount. There are several positives, including an expected pace to follow from runners such as Gato Del Oro (4) and Klimt (6).

Still, it's not an easy race. Gormley (3) won the Santa Anita Derby in April. Klimt was a game second in the Los Alamitos Derby last month in his first start of the year.