UPDATE FROM MRH
Going to Vegas Update
With the uncertainty of what the outcome will be for trainer Richard Baltas and the time crunch we are in with Going to Vegas targeting the Grade 1 Gamely on May 30th, it is our managerial responsibility along with our partners, Medallion Racing and Abbondanza Racing, to make the best decision for all of our owners. While it is not an easy decision without due process being completed yet in the Baltas case, it is crucial for this mare to run in this upcoming Grade 1 and, as a result, we will be making a trainer change, transferring Going to Vegas to Phil D’Amato. Given D’Amato’s resume with several Grade 1 turf winners and our current relationship with him with other MRH runners, we felt this was the most logical decision and best option for the mare and our owners.
Without having the ability to work horses in the Baltas barn and the possibility of not being able to enter horses when the time comes for Going to Vegas to be put in the entry box for the Gamely, we simply could not risk the possibility of missing what we consider to be a key race in her 2022 campaign.
Baltas did nothing less than a spectacular job turning this once $50,000 claimer into a Grade 1 winner and deserves all the credit. Speaking with Baltas regarding the situation, it wasn’t easy for him to hear the news of the trainer switch, but he does understand the position the ownership group has been put in.
Based on the outcome of the investigation by Santa Anita, we would consider returning the horse to Baltas.
The race plan will remain to target the Gamely. Pending all goes as expected with the transition to the D’Amato barn, she will breeze on Monday at 7:15 a.m. over the Santa Anita training track. We will remain in frequent communication with D’Amato and keep all owners abreast of any updates.
