Baffert, Talamo developing into potent team

DEL MAR, Calif. – The work jockey Joe Talamo has done with the likes of Dabster in recent months has made him an increasingly vital cog in the barn of trainer Bob Baffert, for whom Talamo teamed last week to win with a pair of promising 2-year-olds, Mucho Gusto and Coliseum.

Dabster will make his fourth start under Talamo on Sunday at Del Mar in the Grade 3 Native Diver. They own two wins and a second in concert. Mucho Gusto and Coliseum are a combined 3 for 3 with Talamo.

Scotty McClellan, Talamo’s agent, said it was Talamo’s persistence that got him into the barn, first by working horses in the morning, and then by doing well in races in the afternoon.

“In the long run, he’s found a few nice ones out of the deal,” McClellan said.

Talamo was a regular work rider for Game Winner and McKinzie leading up to the Breeders’ Cup, and also occasionally worked Collected and West Coast.

“Bob knows how much work Joe has put in, and he was rewarded with two nice wins last week,” McClellan said.

Mucho Gusto won the Bob Hope. He could run next in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity on Dec. 8. Coliseum beat maidens in his debut. The Futurity would require him running back in three weeks, something Baffert seems reluctant to do with Coliseum off one race.

Regardless, Talamo is in a good spot.

“Joe’s done the work,” McClellan said. “He’s put himself in this position.”