Baltas points Idol to Breeders' Cup Classic despite recent loss

Richard Baltas is counting down to the Breeders’ Cup with Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Idol for the Classic and Ginobili for the Dirt Mile, both at Del Mar on Nov. 6.

Idol is coming off a 16-length defeat by front-running Medina Spirit in the Awesome Again Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita on Oct. 3 in which he had a wide trip, while Ginobili drew away last out to win the Pat O’Brien (G2) by nearly two lengths on Aug. 28.

Baltas is staunchly on record as saying Idol was in need of the Awesome Again Stakes, his first start in seven months, and that the four-year-old Curlin colt is ideally suited for a mile and a quarter, the distance of both the Big 'Cap and the BC Classic.

“Idol came out of the race really good,” said Baltas, a 60-year-old native of Gary, Ind. “I think the pace (in the Awesome Again) was kind of slow but he looks good, he’s been galloping at Santa Anita and I’ll probably breeze him before we ship to Del Mar.

“Ginobili is going in the Dirt Mile. He breezed (six furlongs) in 1:11 and three at San Luis Rey yesterday like nothing. We’re pretty happy with him.”