Balance

Balance

2003, Thunder Gulch - Vertigineux, by Kris S.

Breeder: Maverick Production Ltd. (Ky.)

Owner: Amerman Racing Stables

Trainer: David Hofmans

Regular Rider: Victor Espinoza

Pedigree

Balance
Thunder Gulch
Vertigineux
Gulch
Line of Thunder
Kris S.
For the Flag
Mr. Prospector
Jameela
Storm Bird
Shoot a Line (GB)
Roberto
Sharp Queen
Forli
In the Offing

Purchase Info

Sold for $260,000 at 2004 Keeneland September yearling sale by Maverick Productions, Winter Quarter Farm, agent, to Amerman Racing.

Race Record

AgeStarts1st2nd3rdEarnings 
35202$416,859
47212$448,332

At 3: 1– Las Virgenes S. (G1), Santa Anita Oaks (G1), 3– Ashland S. (G1), La Brea S. (G1)

At 4: 1– Santa Margarita Invitational H. (G1), La Canada S. (G2), 2– Vanity Invitational H. (G1), 3– Clement L. Hirsch H. (G2), Milady Breeders' Cup H. (G2)

Last Start

Fourth in Beldame S. (G1) on Sept. 30 at Belmont

Contender Status

Trainer David Hofmans has probably seen all he wants to see of Nashoba's Key, who defeated Balance in three graded stakes races, all in Southern California where Balance has nonetheless managed to win five stakes races, three of them Grade 1's.

Hofmans decided it was time for another road trip for the filly, who finished third in last year's Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Race Course, and targeted the Beldame Stakes (G1) on September 30 at Belmont Park for the filly.

His confidence was probably boosted somewhat knowing that Nashoba's Key was staying at Santa Anita Park to run in the September 29 Yellow Ribbon Stakes (G1).

But Balance failed to live up to expectations in the Beldame, jumping in the air at the start, coming four wide into the stretch, and tiring in the final furlong to finish fourth.

Recent Works

October 23 - Five furlongs breezing in 1:01.40 at Monmouth Park, track fast. Sixth best of 13 workouts at the distance.

October 17 - Five furlongs handily in :59.40 at Santa Anita Park, all-weather track fast. Second best of 54 workouts at the distance.

Quotable

Trainer David Hofman's, after Balance settled in at Monmouth Park:

"She just loves a dirt surface and hates a synthetic surface. She's doing great here. This is the same sort of track that Santa Anita had before it put in Cushion Track."