Baltas stable growing with string of talented runners
Richard Baltas had two horses when he went out on his own anew as a trainer two years ago, was up to 22 when Del Mar started last summer, and now has 38 runners, headed by the stakes-winning older sprinter Big Macher, who is scheduled to make his next start July 27 in the Grade 1, $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes.
That extra business has caused Baltas to add to his staff, and he has brought aboard the well-known exercise rider David Meah, who most recently worked for Doug O’Neill and will take on added responsibilities under Baltas.
“He’ll gallop horses and help out around the barn,” Baltas said.
Among those scheduled to face Big Macher in the Crosby is Declassify, who won the Triple Bend at Santa Anita late last month.
First time for Elliott
Jockey Stewart Elliott had never been to Del Mar prior to his arrival this week. In fact, he’s rarely even been to California.
“I came in for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, just in and out,” he said. “That’s the only time I’ve been to California.”
Elliott largely has ridden on the East Coast during his career. He won the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes on Smarty Jones.
Sunset Glow points to Sorrento
The globe-trotting Sunset Glow, second most recently in the Albany Stakes during the Royal Ascot meeting last month, now is at Del Mar, where she is being pointed to the Grade 2, $200,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies Aug. 6.
Sunset Glow, trained by Wesley Ward, was second in her debut May 13 at Presque Isle Downs on an all-weather surface, then defeated maidens June 6 at Belmont Park on turf. Her race at Royal Ascot came just 14 days later, and she did well on such a quick turnaround.
Now, she’ll have more than a month between starts prior to the Sorrento. While at Del Mar, Sunset Glow is being looked after by trainer Blake Heap on behalf of Ward.
Transition from dirt to synthetic
Trainer John Sadler said he got to Del Mar as soon as the stable area opened last week because he believed getting his horses used to the surface this year was more “challenging” than in years past due to the closure of Hollywood Park.
“It used to be an easier transition because you were going from one type of a synthetic surface to another,” Sadler said. “Now, you’re going from dirt to synthetic. Next year, when Del Mar is dirt, it’ll be a lot easier. But this year is challenging.”
Del Mar is removing its Polytrack surface after its fall meeting. There will be dirt on the main track for the 2015 summer season.
Sadler is one of several trainers desirous of Del Mar remaining open for training between the summer and fall meets, if not longer.
“Horsemen are still longing for year-round Del Mar,” he said.