Richard Baltas joined a long list of training luminaries who have won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap when Idol stormed from behind to win Saturday's Big 'Cap by a half-length under Joel Rosario at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
Now the late-running son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin is eligible for the inaugural “Wild West Bonus” of $1 million which goes to a horse winning the Big 'Cap, the Hollywood Gold Cup (at Santa Anita on May 31) and the TVG Pacific Classic (at Del Mar on Aug. 31).
All three races are at the classic American distance of a mile and a quarter.
“He came out of the race in good order,” the 59-year-old trainer said Sunday morning. “Of course, we're going to definitely look at it, although the Gold Cup is a long way off. I'm just happy he came out of the race very, very good.
“I knew he wanted all of a mile and a quarter, and the jockey made a bit of a difference, too. But a mile and a quarter is always what the horse wanted. He's just a big, long-striding horse.
“We needed all of Rosario's power in the stretch to get him home. It was a great win, a race you dream about winning. I've been coming to Santa Anita since I was 13 years old.
“Before I even became a trainer, I saw all the greats run in the Big 'Cap and you never think you're gonna be here, but you keep working hard and God blesses you.”
The post Baltas Savors Idol’s Big ‘Cap Triumph: ‘A Race You Dream About Winning’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
