BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-bred Rockies Balboa came back against Lincoln’s Law in the turn then drew off in the stretch to upset a first condition, $125,000 optional claiming at Churchill Downs Thursday, winning at odds of 15-1. Trained by Dale Romans for Charles Monfort, America’s Pastime Stables, Jeffery Bloom’s Bloom Racing Stable and Edwin S. Barker, Rockies Balboa won by a length against eight other 3-year-olds going six-and-a-half furlongs on a sloppy and sealed track.
Rockies Balboa and jockey Tyler Gaffalione burst from post four and quickly put a length on the field as Munnings Challenge and Lincoln’s Law took up the chase on the outside. Rockies Balboa continued to lead after a half mile in :22.32 when Lincoln’s Law and Luis Saez ranged to his outside into the turn. Lincoln’s Law looked to have the advantage past the quarter-mile marker but Rockies Balboa fought back on the inside, got clear past the furlong pole and kicked clear to win in 1:16.40. Lincoln’s Law was second, a neck ahead of McCann in third.
Rockies Balboa paid $33.18 to win.
He scored in consecutive races this winter at Gulfstream Park, taking a six-and-a-half-furlong, $50,000 maiden claiming at Gulfstream Park in December and a seven-furlong, first level allowance by five lengths on January 29.
Romans tried the Triple Crown trail next with Rockies Balboa, but the bay colt finished out of the money in the Grade 2 Coolmore Fountain of Youth won by Commandment in February. Rockies Balboa promptly rebounded with two seconds against Florida-bred stakes horses in the $98,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore going seven furlongs at Tampa Bay Downs on March 29 and in the $100,000 FHBPA Sophomore Sprint racing six furlongs at Gulfstream on April 25. He entered Thursday race off a fifth-place finish in a first level, $125,000 optional claiming at Churchill on May 29.
The 3-year-old son of Girvin out of Toni Ann’s Miracle, by Hear No Evi has now won three of 10 career starts with three seconds and earnings of $177,266. In addition to the $52,584 first-place check, Rockies Balboa earned a $3,000 Export Incentive check for the out-of-state win paid to breeder Tonya Hunt by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Bloom as an agent for Charlie Monfort and Brian Spagnola purchased Rockies Balboa for $150,000 out of the Randy Mile consignment at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale. Spagnola is a managing partner of America’s Best Pastime Stables.
Return to the June 26 issue of Wire to Wire
