Ginobili Returns to Winning Ways in Fifth Season

Not only did Ginobili  establish his aptness over the Oaklawn Park surface Jan. 14, he also claimed the title of comeback king with a masterful score in the $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes to kick off his 2023 season. 

The 6-year-old son of Munnings   finished out his 4-year-old season for Richard Baltas with a win in the 2021 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2), a runner-up finish behind Life Is Good   in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), and an off-the-board finish in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1). Afterward, he would not return to the track for a year.

Breezing on the West Coast for trainer Peter Miller, the gelding got back to racing in November of 2022 at Del Mar, where he ran a solid second to Get Her Number  in an allowance optional claiming race, his first start for Miller. He shipped into the Hot Springs oval only a week before his return to stakes company and proved the new venue and the step up in class were both no issue.

Swiftly out of the gate in the one-mile Fifth Season, Ginobili ran neatly under Ricardo Santana Jr. along the outside of the 10-horse field to move within striking distance of the early leader, Dreamer's Disease , as that one sets splits of :22.23 and :46.53. Taking command with three-quarters in 1:11.08, Santana opened the gelding up on a hand ride, easily motoring away from the pack while defending winner Rated R Superstar  and Runnin' Ray  put in strong bids for minor awards.

Any attempts at catching Ginobili proved futile as the gelding pushed challengers aside to break away by 5 1/2 lengths in 1:24.11, and found the wire soon after to take the mile by four lengths in 1:37.35 over the fast main track. He raced for owners Slam Dunk Racing, Jerry McClanahan, and Michael Nentwig.

"Ricardo sat in the paddock with us down there and he thought the speed would run away from him and he actually didn't want to have the lead," Slam Dunk Racing managing partner Nick Cosato said. "Going into the first turn I loved where he was and I know Ricardo loved where he was. The crew did a great job and it's great coming back. A couple of the guys thought he didn't like Oaklawn Park but he showed it didn't matter."

While the 10-year-old Rated R Superstar made up significant ground to come into contention while rallying wide down the stretch, he could do no better than third after Runnin' Ray got up to narrowly edge him out by a neck for runner-up honors.

Although suspended trainer Baltas was listed as one of his owners at the time of entries for the Fifth Season (as reflected on the track overnight), the chart of the Fifth Season noted Ginobili raced Saturday for Slam Dunk, McClanahan, and Nentwig.

Baltas' owner's license is also currently suspended, California Horse Racing Board public information officer Mike Marten confirmed. Last month, the CHRB suspended Baltas for a year after ruling that a number of his horses were administered a prohibited anti-bleeding herb and vitamin supplement on race day. Marten said CHRB chief steward Darrel McHargue was informed by Oaklawn Park stewards that an ownership transfer took place. 

Ginobili ($5.80) improved his record to 4-3-1 from 17 starts and increased his earnings to $561,050. Bred by Hinkle Farms in Kentucky, the gelding was a $35,000 purchase by Baltas from the breeder's consignment to the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is out of grade 3-placed Sharp Humor  mare Find the Humor , who has five winners from five foals to race, including stakes-placed Silly Factor .

When asked where the gelding would be seen next, Cosato said there are several avenues the partners would like to explore, which may include a trip overseas.

"He's going to stay here for a little bit. I don't know if our next race will be back at Santa Anita. Possibly the Middle East, Saudi, and Dubai," he said. "We did that last year, shipped him back, and never got a chance to run. I know some of the partners want to go for the big money. It's kind of up in the air right now and we're going to savor the victory tonight."

Video: Fifth Season S. (BT)