Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Venetian Harbor Retired

Multiple graded stakes winner Venetian Harbor  has been retired after exiting a recent workout with an injury, trainer Richard Baltas confirmed. Baltas said that no surgery is required.

"She was a little off out of the breeze a couple days ago at San Luis Rey. We X-rayed her and we saw a little something there. No surgery is needed, she's just retired and she's walking sound so she'll be a broodmare. It's strictly up to the owners as far as what they're going to do," Baltas said in regards to whether she will be entered in an upcoming breeding stock sale or other plans are made. 

Daily Racing Form first reported the retirement.

Owned by Ciaglia Racing, Highland Yard, River Oak Farm, and Domenic Savides, Venetian Harbor captured graded stakes on both dirt and turf. Last year at 3 she took the Las Virgenes Stakes (G2) and Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2), placing second in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) and Longines Test Stakes (G1) in between. The Munnings   filly returned this year at 4 to take the Monrovia Stakes (G2T) and was second in the Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1). Also a winner at 2, Venetian Harbor retires with four wins and five seconds in 11 starts. She earned $699,400.

"That's one thing good about having a good mare who wins graded stakes and runs second and third in grade 1s—they always have value and they have another career as a mom," Baltas said.

Venetian Harbor was bred in Kentucky by Colts Neck Stables out of the multiple stakes-placed Street Cry mare Sounds of the City. Her fourth dam is champion sprinter Safely Kept. Jesse Hoppel, agent, purchased Venetian Harbor for $110,000 from the Ashview Farm consignment at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The filly was a $205,000 RNA when offered by Coastal Equine at the 2019 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. 

The bay filly was being considered for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) Nov. 6 at Del Mar. She last worked five furlongs in :59 Oct. 7 at San Luis Rey Training Center. 

"She's been really good to us," Baltas said. "Sad right before the Breeders' Cup, but I saw her this morning. I went down to San Luis Rey and I watched her walk, she's good."

Baltas still has grade 1 winners Idol  and Going to Vegas , as well as grade 2 winner Ginobili , pointed to the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Calvin Nguyen's Idol, a 4-year-old son of Curlin  , rallied to win the March 6 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) in his second start of the season. He did not race again until the Oct. 2 Awesome Again Stakes (G1), racing in last most of the race before finishing sixth. He is slated for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

"Idol came out of the race really good," Baltas said. "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."

Abbondanza Racing, Medallion Racing, and MyRacehorse's Going to Vegas has won her last three starts, topped by the Oct. 2 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G1T). The 4-year-old Goldencents   filly is aimed at the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). 

Ginobili, a 4-year-old Munnings   gelding, has won his two most recent outings, including the Aug. 28 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2), and will head to the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1). He is owned by Slam Dunk Racing, Baltas, Jerry McClanahan, and Michael Nentwig.