Correas Hoping New Import Shines, Sooner or Later

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY–Tuesday morning in Saratoga Springs came and went in a similar manner to the preceding days–damp, dreary, and in the case of the racetrack, sloppy. Many trainers were forced to modify scheduled training plans for their top performers, including Ignacio Correas IV, who arrived in town from Kentucky a few days earlier with his Chilean Group 1-winning distaffer Linda Linda (Chi) (Bluegrass Cat) [pedigree] ahead of a start in Wednesday's Shine Again S.

Nestled in her stall at the back of a shedrow in the track's Clare Court annex, Linda Linda peered out as her trainer kept a watchful eye on the weather. Correas has become well-versed in managing similar South American imports over the past 18 months since setting out on his own as a public trainer, and is well aware of the challenges associated with shipping to a competitive venue such as Saratoga. Complicating matters specifically is the depth of the field signed on to compete in the Shine Again, which is restricted to fillies and mares who have not won a graded stakes event in 2016–namely 2015 GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint winner Wavell Avenue (Harlington).

“The further you ship, the more sure you need to be of the horse,” said Correas. “In this case, we didn't have many options. She's a [Group] 1 winner, but I didn't know the Breeders' Cup winner was going to be there. The condition looks great [on paper], but then you understand that there are other Grade I winners who have not won a graded stake in 2016.”

Despite the adverse weather conditions since Linda Linda's arrival at the Spa Sunday, the chestnut was able to gallop over the off track to complete her preparation for Wednesday's engagement. With regard to the variables within Correas's control, the trainer said his charge has progressed nicely since arriving to his Keeneland stable in May with the help of a common connection to prominent Chilean horseman Jaime Allende Marin.

“I got her from a mutual friend of the owner and myself, and I've had her for three months,” Correas recalled, standing just in front of Linda Linda's stall. “Before that she was in South Carolina at Arch Kingsley's farm. She's training very good. She's a proven winner.”

Linda Linda won four of her seven career starts, all at Hipodromo in Chile in 2015. Although the Shine Again will mark her first start outside that relatively insular circuit, the filly has demonstrated significant versatility in winning at distances from six to 10 furlongs–including a score in her final start in Chile, the G1 Alberto Solari Magnasco Oct. 31 [video]. Correas said that the seven-furlong distance of the Shine Again may fall a bit short of optimal for the import, but will likely serve as a useful stepping stone to races later in the year.

“For me, it's a starting point,” he continued. “I would say for her, a mile will suit her best. I think this race came up tougher than we expected. She should run a good race, and we'll get her going from there.”

Ignacio Correas, IV |  Coady Photography

Correas, who was born into a racing family in Argentina, has enjoyed success with a number of transfers from South America recently, including Kasaqui (Arg) (Lasting Approval), winner of the GIII Arlington H. July 9. Given that the gray finished fourth in his initial Stateside appearance in a Turfway Park optional claimer in March, the conditioner said a patient approach is often the key to getting the most out of horses adapting to a new style of racing.

“I think it's a matter of time, only,” Correas explained. “If you give them the time, they're going to perform for you. But time is expensive, so it works for certain owners. When you see that a horse is doing good, after six months I would say you can expect for them to come around. But then, you're probably going to see them peak after 10 months to a year.”

With Linda Linda, Correas is tasked with developing a proven commodity in South America into a top-notch runner in the United States. Allende Marin, who has enjoyed considerable success in Chile, started a limited number of horses in Southern California in the mid-2000s prior to his recent decision to send the filly to Correas.

“He has had a few horses before that he brought from Chile to California, but this is his first horse on the east coast,” Correas noted. “He has a ton of [business ventures] in Chile, but he's had horses forever. He's a known owner, and his father, too… He's a pretty lucky guy, he always has winners. He does pretty good.”

With a solid core of owners by his side, Correas said he is slowly rebuilding his stable since parting ways with Maryland's storied Sagamore Racing early last year.

“It was tough in the beginning, because you have to let people know you're out there and available,” the trainer said. “I have 25 horses right now, so I'm okay. [Sagamore owner] Kevin Plank was very nice to me, and when I left Sagamore, I was very well set up to start.”

In contrast to rain-soaked backstretch during Tuesday's training hours, the future looks decidedly bright for Correas, who said he is particularly looking forward to unveiling a number of 2-year-olds in the summer and autumn. The conditioner expects to debut a filly by Dialed In for owner Michael House at Saratoga in the coming weeks. He also figures to get another boost from the return of Argentinian champion Idolo Porteno (Arg) (Jump Start), last seen finishing second in the GIII Pimlico Special May 20.

“I have decent 2-year-olds this year, and I'm hoping to have a good fall with them,” Correas concluded, his face turning to a grin. “But I'm waiting for more Argentinian champions to come.”