Over the course of his first 17 career starts, Balladeer had never won a black-type race let alone a graded stakes race.
But after flying around the 1 1/4-mile turf course at Santa Anita Park Oct. 1, the Kentucky-bred son of Distorted Humor can add some bold print to his name courtesy of his triumph in the John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2T).
The colt bolted out of the gate, dueling early with Masteroffoxhounds , a conflict that was set to repeat later in the race. Balladeer didn’t take favorably to the dirt crossing on the track, swinging out wider than the rest of the field and temporarily relinquishing the lead.
No sooner did he get back on more comfortable footing, jockey Victor Espinoza brought him all the way back inside, along the rail, and to the front of the field of eight.
“He took the dirt crossing wide, but it wasn’t really important because I was able to control him without fighting with him or irritating him,” said Espinoza. “When I crossed the dirt, we just went towards the rail and he was just going at a nice speed. I was just pleased with the way he responded to my command.”
Espinoza didn’t hold back as Balladeer opened up five lengths of breathing room.
With the field in pursuit, Balladeer posted early fractions of :23.36, :47.41, and 1:12.07. With a little less than a half mile of turf ahead of them, Masteroffoxhounds and Edwin Maldonado began their challenge in earnest.
Hitting the final turn, Masteroffoxhounds came to Balladeer, matching stride for stride.
Balladeer answered with a surge to get some space but Maldonado urged his ride forward. But with a sixteenth of a mile until the wire, Balladeer was too much to overcome. The final time was 1:58.94.
“At the three-eighths I saw Maldonado getting close, but I knew my horse and he had another gear based on the distance of his last race. He was fit enough to take them all the way,” said trainer George Papaprodromou.
Said Espinoza, “He was strong all the way, even when the horses came to him, he would not let them go by. I just have fun riding these types of horses that just go out there and do their job.”
Speaking Scout was third. Favored Gold Phoenix was four lengths back in fifth. Balladeer paid $15 on a $2 win ticket.
“This race was more exciting because it is a grade two and he beat Gold Phoenix and we are really excited. Victor did a great job getting her to relax,” said co-owner Cavin Nguyen.
Balladeer improves to 4-2-2 from 18 starts and $367,290 in earnings.
Bred by Bonne Chance Farm, Balladeer was purchased by Nguyen at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase for $355,000 out of the Gainesway consignment.
The sire, Distorted Humor, retired in 2021 after standing at WinStar Farm.
Video: John Henry Turf Championship S. (G2T)
