DEL MAR, Calif. - A year ago, Ginobili was a recently gelded 3-year-old mired in a lengthy losing streak. This summer, Ginobili is a stakes winner with a looming start in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 6, courtesy of a sharp win in Saturday’s Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs. Several factors have led to the improved form, according to trainer Richard Baltas. He cited an operation for an undisclosed ailment, a wintertime rest, and the addition of blinkers. Ginobili was eighth and fourth in his first two starts of 2021 before blinkers were added for an allowance race at a mile on July 17. The result was a win by 9 3/4 lengths, followed by a win in the $202,000 O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs. The winner of the O’Brien received a fees-paid berth to the BC Dirt Mile. On Sunday, Baltas said the two races at Del Mar this summer should have Ginobili ready for the Dirt Mile. No prep races are planned in the interim. :: DRF's Del Mar headquarters – Stakes schedule, previews, recaps, past performances, and more “I think we’ll wait,” he said. Ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, Ginobili broke from the rail, stalked pacesetter Brickyard Ride to the turn and took a commanding lead in the stretch. Ginobili won by 1 3/4 lengths over C Z Rocket, the runner-up in the BC Sprint at Keeneland last November. Baltas said he was “upset” when Ginobili drew the rail, but was relieved when he saw Van Dyke move the 4-year-old off the rail on the backstretch. “How many times do you plan a race and it goes exactly the way you wanted it to go?” Baltas said. “Drayden did a good job and the horse was ready. “He had some physical issues. He had minor surgery and four months off. We put blinkers on him and we stretched him out to a mile.” Owned by the partnership of Slam Dunk Racing, Jerry McClanahan, Michael Nentwig and Baltas, Ginobili has won 3 of 13 starts. All three of the wins have been at Del Mar. C Z Rocket closed from eighth of nine to finish second. Trainer Peter Miller said C Z Rocket will prep for the BC Sprint in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at six furlongs on Oct. 2. C Z Rocket won the 2020 O’Brien Stakes and Santa Anita Sprint Championship. :: DRF Bets players get free Daily Racing Form Past Performances and up to 5% weekly cashback. Click to learn more.