Balnikhov Holds Off Rio King in S.F. Mile Photo Finish
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Photo: Vassar Photography
Balnikhov, right, wins the San Francisco Mile
Jockey Umberto Rispoli had ridden Balnikhov three times prior to the April 29 $250,000 San Francisco Mile (G3T) at Golden Gate Fields. So he knew as well as anyone that his ride Saturday evening prefers settling in from the back of the field before making his move.
Just like the most predictable Hollywood script, Balnikhov sat at or near the tail-end of the nine-horse field for the first three-quarters of a mile and then dug down deep for that extra gear to hold off 50-1 longshot Rio King in a photo finish.
"I know he likes to be ridden from really, really far back. If you put him in the race, he's going to be more aggressive," said Rispoli, who won four times on the card including three stakes.
Lamplighter Jack and Flavius , who had not run since the 2022 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T), were the frontrunners heading into the final quarter mile. Lamplighter Jack posted fractions of :24.26, :48.21, and 1:11.33.
All the while, Rispoli had Balnikhov comfortably in the rear biding their time. Rispoli expressed confidence he could have made his move at any time but didn't find it necessary to force the issue.
Instead, as the field crowded together coming around the final turn and into the stretch, Rispoli saw the opening he wanted.
Going four wide, Balnikhov found his stride as well as room to move.
Rio King, who won his last three races and was making his stakes debut, was in seventh hitting the stretch. Determined to put the others behind them, Balnikhov and Rio King pushed desperately for the wire, two competing musicians going note for note. The difference proved to be a little more lung support, or in this case, a head bob from the Irish import.
"He actually put on the brakes the last sixteenth of a mile waiting on the other horse," Rispoli said.
Balnikhov paid $4.80 as the 7/5 first choice. Il Bellator , another 50-1 underdog, finished third.
By Adaay (IRE) and out of the First Defence mare Leeward, Balnikhov improves to 6-4-2 from 17 career starts. Balnikhov is the only starter and winner of Leeward's four foals.
Trained by Phil D'Amato, Balnikhov is owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Madakat Stables, and Old Bones Racing Stable. He was a $31,899 purchase by Oceanic Bloodstock from the Ellon consignment at the 2020 Arqana Deauville September Yearling Sale.