Bal a Bali to take another dip in pool
RACE REPLAY IS NOT AVAILABLE
ARCADIA, Calif. – A working vacation at San Luis Rey Downs was so successful for Bal a Bali that trainer Richard Mandella will use the same routine for the 7-year-old, who scored his first North American Grade 1 win last weekend at Santa Anita in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile.
Bal a Bali’s victory March 11 was his first start since June; much of his comeback preparation was at San Luis Rey. He worked there and swam in the equine pool under the care of assistant Michele Dollase. Bal a Bali enjoyed his time away from the racetrack, and Mandella will employ a similar plan for his next start.
“I’ll send him back to San Luis Rey, let him swim a little bit with Michele Dollase,” Mandella said. “That’s who handled him this year. She deserves some credit.”
Bal a Bali was up to six furlongs in works at San Luis Rey before returning to Santa Anita in February. His training pattern culminated with a Kilroe win first start back. Mandella said his races in 2017 will be spaced apart.
“I won’t run him back [soon],” Mandella said. “I’ll probably give him two months.”
Bal a Bali, owned by Calumet Farm, has won 14 races and $1,003,823 from 23 starts. The next major stakes for turf milers at Santa Anita is the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on June 3.
