Ginobili needs no assist to win Sunday feature

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Ginobili, named for retired San Antonio Spurs standout Manu Ginobili, has invaded Oaklawn from Southern California for an optional $80,000 claiming race for 3-year-olds over six furlongs. He’s part of a field of 12 that includes Nucky, winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity last September, and the promising American Butterfly and Marvin.

Ginobili should go favored off a runner-up finish to Nadal – named for tennis standout Rafael Nadal – in the Grade 2 San Vicente on Feb. 9 at Santa Anita. Since the race, Nadal has won the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel at Oaklawn.

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Ginobili, meanwhile, has been working sharply at Santa Anita, and was scheduled to fly in on Thursday to Oaklawn, where his trainer, Richard Baltas, has a division. There is no racing at Santa Anita or Golden Gate Fields due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I was fortunate to get him in,” Baltas said Thursday. “He’s a horse that’s been ready to race.”

Ginobili and Nadal went at it in the San Vicente, dueling through demanding fractions. Nadal won by three-quarters of a length over a stubborn Ginobili, who was making his first start since Oct. 6.

“We thought we gave him a good run,” Baltas said. “I thought he ran great.

“We had freshened him.”

Baltas owns Ginobili with Slam Dunk Racing, Jerry McClanahan, and Michael Nentwig. The horse, by Munnings, was a $35,000 yearling purchase by Baltas at Keeneland in September 2018.

“He’s a nice horse,” Baltas said. “I think he’s more of a sprinter-type of horse the way he’s built.”

Ginobili won a maiden special weight over six furlongs in his second start Aug. 17 at Del Mar. He then ran a close fourth in the $101,000 Speakeasy on turf at Santa Anita before making his 3-year-old debut in the San Vicente.

Baltas on Sunday has given the mount to David Cohen. Ginobili will break from post 3.

“Let’s hope he breaks well,” Baltas said. “He needs to break well.

“He’s got plenty of gas.”

Big Returns and Marvin enter off a one-two finish at this same level and distance March 23 at Oaklawn. Big Returns was racing on a wet track for the first time and upset the field at 61-1. He earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 89.

Marvin finished 2 1/2 lengths back in second in what was his first start on a wet track. Alex Canchari has the mount on Marvin from post 9, while Big Returns will break from post 6 under Ramon Vazquez.