When the sun sets in autumn meet at Keeneland October 29, year Balnikhov made every second pass with an attempt to seduce the past Craftiness and Classic Road with $271,088 Bryan Station Stakes (G3T) to earn the first win at that level.
3 year old son of Adaay followed most of the 12-horse school from the beginning of year 11 to parts of: 23.05 and: 46.72.
Classic Causeway soon paved the way with Fuerteventura and Play Action Pass ranked second and third respectively.
When it comes to the last turn in 1:11.87, Craftinessthe runner in fifth place, begins the effort to get ahead and take the lead on the ramp. Axthelm was comfortably in fourth place until running up to second behind Wit under the encouragement of Luis Saez.
Close to the ropes, Balnikhov was the one who launched a six-corner wide distance from the rest of the court in 1:23.65 to challenge Wit’s frontman until the very last moments and eventually got ahead for the win. won the one-mile turf event in 1:35.48.
Under the leadership of racer Tyler Gaffalione, who hit the meeting’s sixth-placed score, Balnikhov ($15.28) improved his record to 5-3-2 from 14 starts and increased his earnings to $398,343 for owners of Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables, and Old Bones Racing Stable.
Wit is second and Axthelm is half way behind in third.
Little Red Feather Racing’s Billy Koch said: “It was a crazy ride, how did Tyler Gaffalione do it, he’s a magician,” said Billy Koch of Little Red Feather Racing. “Praise goes to Sol (Kumin) from Madaket and John Panagot. They picked this race, they really wanted the distance, and they thought he would run well here in Keeneland.
“They get a lot of credit for that decision and credit to the horse and to Phil D’Amato, a king of sod.”
Confronted with a number of proven horses, Koch said the team was undeterred to run gelding.
“We had a lot of confidence in this horse and when you’re confident in your horse you go into it and you obviously have a lot of respect for the competition and those are really nice horses, but we know that we had a really nice horse, Koch said.
Gaffalione, who finished against Keeneland with six graded wins and 20 overall wins, just one win away from taking the top equestrian title, which went to Saez with 21 points.
The racer said he enjoyed the ride on the toboggan, who reached Bryan Station and finished fourth at Del Mar on September 3 Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby (G2T).
Tyler Gaffalione and Balnikhov after acquiring shares of Bryan Station at Keeneland
“I want to thank the relationships for this opportunity. It was fun to ride. Also, Umberto Rispoli (who rode Balnikhov at Del Mar in his previous two races) – she helped me. a lot, show me how to ride a horse. It works well,” said Gaffalione.
“My goodness, he had some turning points. All I had to do was find the space. I wanted to get out but they fanned out. A point opened inside and I followed Joel (Rosario in). Ready to Purrform) and I was able to find some rooms.”
Balnikhov was purchased by Oceanic Bloodstock for $31,899 from Ellon shipment for the 2020 Arqana Deauville Sale in September. He was bred in Ireland by T. de La Heronnierre and Gestut Zur Kuste AG among them. First defense Leeward mare also has a 2 year old Sioux Country ponies and a yearning El Kabeir dirty.
Video: Bryan S. Station (G3T)
