There was a touch of theatre at Del Mar on Sunday afternoon, as Irish-bred millionaire Balnikhov produced one of those stirring late bursts that remind fans why turf racing can be pure drama. The six-year-old gelding, winless since May, came from last to first under a perfectly judged Umberto Rispoli ride to capture the $100,000 Allowance/Claiming feature at a testing mile and three-eighths on the Del Mar turf.
A Ride of Patience and Precision
For Rispoli, this was not just another win — it was a statement in timing and faith. Reunited with trainer Phil D’Amato, the Italian jockey displayed his trademark composure, allowing Balnikhov to find his rhythm at the rear of the eight-horse field. As Spycatcher and Abel Lezcano carved out moderate early fractions, Rispoli never flinched, saving every ounce of energy for the final, decisive quarter-mile.
Turning for home, Balnikhov was still last — but that’s exactly where his rider wanted him. With about three-sixteenths to run, Rispoli angled his mount wide into clear running room. Then came the burst — an electric, ground-devouring surge that swept past rivals as if they were standing still. The Adaay (IRE) gelding struck the front at the eighth pole and powered away to score by 2¼ lengths, stopping the clock at 2:16.14.
It was a vintage Rispoli performance, the kind of cool-headed artistry that has earned him admiration across California’s circuit.
Drama Behind the Winner
The closing stages were anything but straightforward for those chasing home the winner. Flashiest (15-1), trained by Leonard Powell and ridden by Armando Ayuso, looked set for a clean second but found himself in tight quarters between Reiquist (18-1) and Spycatcher.
In the scramble, Spycatcher — under Abel Lezcano — drifted out under pressure, bumping Flashiest and hampering Reiquist in the process. The stewards immediately flashed the inquiry sign, and after a thorough review, Spycatcher, who had initially finished third, was disqualified to fourth for interference. Reiquist, piloted by Kazushi Kimura, was elevated to third, completing the trifecta in an eventful finish.
The official placings read:
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Balnikhov (Umberto Rispoli)
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Flashiest (Armando Ayuso)
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Reiquist (Kazushi Kimura)
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Spycatcher (Abel Lezcano)
A Welcome Return to Winning Ways
For Balnikhov’s connections — Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, and Old Bones Racing Stable LLC — Sunday’s win marked a return to the form they’ve long believed was still within their gelding.
The consistent bay had endured a frustrating run of near-misses in 2024, having last triumphed in the Grade 3 Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico on May 18. That win had followed an equally strong performance the year before, when he took the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields — also with Rispoli in the saddle.
“It’s been a while between drinks,” said D’Amato afterward. “But this horse has always shown heart. We’ve just been trying to get him in the right rhythm again. Umberto knows him better than anyone — when he’s relaxed, he gives you that turn of foot that few horses have.”
Class and Consistency
Balnikhov’s performance reaffirmed his reputation as a genuine, top-level turf performer. His record now stands at 37 starts, 9 wins, 6 seconds, and 6 thirds, with earnings surpassing $1.16 million. For a horse that often does his best work from the back, his consistency at graded level has been commendable.
In a field of experienced turf runners, Balnikhov’s acceleration was the standout. The fractions told the story of a race that began at a crawl — 25.66, 50.01, 1:15.84, 1:40.90, 2:04.84, before the final sprint home to 2:16.14 — perfectly suited to a horse who thrives when allowed to quicken off a steady tempo.
At the windows, Balnikhov returned $6.20 to win, $4.60 to place, and $3.40 to show. Flashiest rewarded his backers with $8.20 and $5.00, while Reiquist returned $5.40 to show.
The Bigger Picture
For Del Mar, the race served as another reminder of the track’s knack for producing thrilling turf contests late in the meet. The seaside oval, famed for its fast summer turf and dramatic stretch runs, has seen several crowd-pleasing finishes this season — but few as emphatic as this one.
Balnikhov’s victory also offered a sense of renewal heading into the winter months. With his confidence restored, D’Amato indicated the gelding may now be aimed at higher-grade turf stakes later in the season, potentially targeting the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup or a return to graded company at Santa Anita.
“He’s the kind of horse who builds on momentum,” said D’Amato. “If he pulls up well, we’ll look at something ambitious next.”
A Day for the Fans
The atmosphere at Del Mar was one of appreciation — not just for the winning connections, but for the artistry of Rispoli’s ride. The Italian rider, known for his emotional connection with his mounts, gave a small wave of his whip to the crowd as Balnikhov crossed the wire, a gesture that captured the shared joy of a long-awaited victory.
As fans filtered out under the soft coastal sunset, the talk on the apron was unanimous — Balnikhov was back, and turf racing had once again delivered one of its most satisfying stories.
What’s Next at Del Mar
Live racing resumes on Friday with an eight-race card. First post is at 12:30 p.m., promising another afternoon of competitive action at one of America’s most scenic racing venues.
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