Balboa

Balboa began his racing career in Southern California with trainer Bob Baffert and earned his first victory in his second start as a 2-year-old, pulling away to a front-running 7 ¾-length romp Aug. 10, 2025, in a dirt sprint at Del Mar.

Tested in class against Grade 1 competition in his next two races, Balboa ran fifth in both the Del Mar Futurity and American Pharoah Stakes.

Transferred to East Coast trainer Brittany Russell, Balboa delivered a knockout performance in his first start for his new trainer, winning the James F. Lewis III Stakes by 5 ¼ lengths Nov. 8 at Laurel Park. Russell shipped the bay Not This Time colt to New York for the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes Dec. 6 and he dueled for the lead in the 1 1/8-mile race before fading to finish third, beaten by 3 ½ lengths by winner Paladin.

Balboa's next start came in the $150,000 Jerome Stakes going one mile at Aqueduct on Jan. 3, 2026. Sent off as the 0.74-1 favorite in a four-horse field for his 3-year-old debut in the Jerome, Balboa settled for second behind My World.

Balboa was produced by the winning War Front mare Tap of War, a full-sister (same dam [mother] and sire [father]) to Grade 1 winner Halladay from the family that produced 1976 Canadian Horse of the Year Norcliffe.