Second Chances: Well-Related Counterbalance Outruns 37-1 Odds in Del Mar Debut

[Wandering Eyes]

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar.

Counterbalance (f, 2, Caravaggio–Out of Balance, by Kitten's Joy) came flashing home to finish fourth in a race that held together quite well over opening weekend at Del Mar.

Overlooked at 37-1 in her debut going five furlongs on dirt for trainer Michael McCarthy, the Amerman Racing homebred broke alertly from her inside draw, but was quickly outfooted.

She was heading the wrong direction while under a ride in sixth as the highly touted, even-money favorite Cherry Cider (Tiz the Law) was hounded by Thank You India (Practical Joke) with eventual winner La Wally (Constitution) sitting the garden spot in third through an opening quarter in :21.97.

Still with plenty to do with positions unchanged at the top of the stretch, Counterbalance began to figure things out from there and came rocketing home in a field-best :12.05 to finish three lengths adrift the winner while powering on impressively past the wire.

La Wally was a nose better than Cherry Cider and it was another 2 1/4 lengths back to Thank You India in third. The final time for five furlongs over the fast going was :58.25.

Counterbalance received a 55 Beyer Speed Figure.

“I thought the race was very positive in that she accelerated in the lane going five furlongs to be fourth,” owner/breeder John Amerman said.

“Importantly, she galloped out ahead of all the other horses in the race. We are very pleased with this daughter of Caravaggio's performance.”

All 12 of Caravaggio's graded/group winners have excelled on grass, led by top-level winners Porta Fortuna (Ire), Whitebeam (GB) and Tenebrism.

Counterbalance's dam and two-time winner Out of Balance (Kitten's Joy) made all 18 of her career starts on grass. She was produced by Balance (Thunder Gulch)–a half-sister to the once-in-a-lifetime Zenyatta–who carried the navy silks of Amerman Racing to a trio of Grade I victories at Santa Anita.

Could a surface switch be in Counterbalance's future?

“At this point, our options are open,” Amerman said.

   Since launching 'Second Chances' in 2017, 64 maidens have been featured in these pages (through 2024), producing 25% graded stakes winners, 34% stakes winners and 48% stakes horses.

   The series has introduced eight future winners at the top level, led by this year's GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) and fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo).

Did LA WALLY ($14.20) watch the Haskell earlier?

The two-year-old daughter of Constitution (@WinStarFarm) absolutely flew down the lane to just catch favored Cherry Cider in the 6th at @DelMarRacing. What a ride by @Antonio1Fresu for trainer Mark Glatt. pic.twitter.com/e6n6opQ5U8

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 19, 2025

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