Baltas and Idol go the distance, win the Santa Anita Handicap

ARCADIA, Calif. – Richard Baltas has seen many a Santa Anita Handicap over the years, beginning as a teenager in the 1970s. He remembers vividly seeing the Big White Horse, Vigors, charge down the center of the track to catch Mr. Redoy, and thrilled to seeing John Henry, Greinton, Lord At War, and all the rest.

Not until Saturday, though, had Baltas – who followed his youthful passion into a profession as a trainer – stood in the winner’s circle after the Santa Anita Handicap. He got there by worshipping an Idol who was anything but false.

Baltas had believed his 4-year-old colt Idol would improve going out to the 1 1/4 miles of the Grade 1, $401,500 Big ’Cap, and he switched to Joel Rosario in the hope some tough trips from previous races this meet would not be repeated. Baltas was rewarded with a satisfying, memorable Big Cap win, as Idol ($12.80) rallied from seventh in the eight-horse field and got up late to beat Express Train, with favored and previously unbeaten Maxfield third.

“Been coming here since I was 13,” said Baltas, who’s now 59. “All the great horses. My dad took me every weekend. You don’t think you’ll ever be in this spot. But if you work hard, stay focused, don’t give up.”

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Those words could apply directly to how he handled Idol. Owing to a youthful injury and then an original owner who was forced to sell, Idol did not debut until last September, on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs, Baltas having shipped the horse there because he said he couldn’t find a suitable race locally.

Idol was second going six furlongs first time out, beat maidens going seven furlongs, then won a first-level allowance going 1 3/16 miles, the last race showing he wanted every bit of classic-distance racing.

Baltas brought Idol back to California – “It started to get cold there,” he said – and put him in a stakes race for the first time on Dec. 26, opening day of this meet. Idol finished second in the Grade 2 San Antonio, not getting to fully stride out until too late.

He had a worse trip last time, in the Grade 2 San Pasqual, in which he finished third but deserved better. For his first Grade 1 try on Saturday, and first try at 1 1/4 miles, Baltas opted to replace Gabriel Saez with Rosario. Idol also got in with 119 pounds, five fewer than Maxfield.

“We knew he wanted a mile and a quarter. He had had a couple of bad trips,” Baltas said. “We were getting Joel, getting weight, getting the distance.”

Idol was in front of only Kiss Today Goodbye heading down the backstretch as King Guillermo led early through fractions of 22.82 seconds for the quarter, 47.12 seconds for the half, and 1:12.26 for six furlongs. Rosario opted to go outside horses on the far turn, and though sixth a quarter-mile from home he stormed down the center of the track to nail Express Train and win by a half-length.

“I was a little wide,” Rosario said of the trip, “but I was trying to avoid the kickback.”

Express Train, who had two lengths at the furlong pole, finished 1 1/2 lengths in front of Maxfield. Independence Hall was fourth and was followed, in order, by Tizamagician, Kiss Today Goodbye, Coastal Defense, and King Guillermo, who stopped and finished last for the second straight time.

Idol completed 1 1/4 miles on the fast main track in 2:02.46. Idol was given a 102 Beyer Speed Figure.

Maxfield, unbeaten in five starts, was sent off the even-money favorite. He was in position to strike but lacked the necessary kick in his first try beyond 1 1/16 miles.

His rider, Florent Geroux, said Maxfield “just didn’t have the same kick,” adding he didn’t think Maxfield got over this surface as well as others he’s raced on.

Idol, by contrast, clearly loves this track, and 1 1/4 miles. His next major goal figures to be the Hollywood Gold Cup here, and then at Del Mar he’ll shoot for the Pacific Classic, both those races at 1 1/4 miles. If he sweeps all three, he’ll earn a $1 million bonus instituted this year.

Idol, a son of Curlin, is owned by Calvin Nguyen, whose first horse was with Baltas more than 20 years ago.

“He’s always been a loyal guy,” Baltas said.

As loyal as Baltas has been, to both Santa Anita, attending the Big ’Cap, and his belief in Idol.