Not This Time’s Balboa Earns His ‘Rising Star’ Seal in Del Mar Opener

[Wandering Eyes]

After running headlong into 'TDN Rising Star' Brant (Gun Runner) in their mutual unveiling July 26, Balboa (Not This Time–Tap of War, by War Front) had his time in the California sun in Sunday's opener at Del Mar and earned his own 'Rising Star' honors while he was at it.

A distant third in the aforementioned debut, he was bet to 1-2 favoritism here and did not disappoint. Riding the rail as he dominated the tempo through :22.03 and a half in :45.29, the race was over at the top of the lane when Juan Hernandez cut his mount loose and the question became how much he fancied winning by as the margin grew. His stablemate Huber (Omaha Beach) was a well-beaten second.

The victor is out of a full-sister to GI Fourstardave hero Halladay (War Front).

Sales history: $875,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Albaugh Family Stables (KY); T-Bob Baffert.

 

BALBOA ($3.00) breaks his maiden in the @DelMarRacing opener and @BobBaffert gets the Exacta. @JJHernandezS19 was aboard this 2YO son of Not This Time (@TMStallions). Congratulations to the connections. @MadaketStables @StarlightRacing

Bet Del Mar https://t.co/kxLtjbx3tn pic.twitter.com/LpC0zAKv01

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 10, 2025

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