Rocco Baldelli is breeding horses now

Former Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli is plenty busy as the team’s first base coach, but he’s apparently got enough time to breed horses on the side.

Former Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli is plenty busy as the team’s first base coach, but he’s apparently got enough time to breed racehorses on the side.

Daily Racing Form caught up with Baldelli recently to talk about his new business venture. 

“It’s a very small commercial operation,” Baldelli told DRF. “I try to breed commercially, but I try to breed a nice racehorse as well.”

Baldelli splits his time between Tampa Bay and Rhode Island, but most of the horses he owns are in Kentucky. He still likes to show them off on Twitter, though. 

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Baldelli is pretty new to the horse breeding game, but veterans praise his ability to pick it up quickly. 

“He has a pretty good idea of value, and he’s got a good idea of what he likes,” Claiborne Farm bloodstock manager Bernie Sams told DRF. “So far, he’s done a good job.”

- Dan Gartland