B. Wayne Hughes’ Beholder, a two-time Eclipse Award champion, became the first female to win Del Mar’s signature race of the summer season, the Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic, in a performance for the ages as she won the mile and one-quarter event by a dazzling eight and one-quarter lengths under jockey Gary Stevens Saturday.

 

Breezing to the front on the far turn without being asked by Stevens, Beholder disposed of dueling pacemakers Bayern and Midnight Storm in a matter of several strides to open a commanding lead entering the stretch. Under no pressure from her rider, the five-year-old mare, a champion at two and three, widened on her nine male rivals to score by eight and one-quarters. It was the second largest winning margin in the 25-year history of the race, exceeded only by Game On Dude in 2013.

 

Catch a Flight, stablemate of Beholder from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, put in a solid late run under Flavien Prat to be second, a length in front of Eastern invader Red Vine who was ridden by Joel Rosario. Fourth was Hoppertunity, followed by Imperative, Hard Aces, Class Leader, Bailoutbobby, Bayern and Midnight Storm.

 

Beholder, a daughter of Henny Hughes, was scoring her 14th win in 19 starts  and ninth in her last ten races. Earlier this season, she won the Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes. First money of $600,000 Saturday increased her career earnings to $4,256,600. Her time for the distance was a fast 1:59.77.

 

Sent postward the 2-1 favorite, the Kentucky-bred mare paid $6, $4.60 and $2.80 to her backers in a crowd of 20,424. Catch a Flight, victor in the San Diego Handicap July 25, returned $6.80 and $4.20, while Red Vine paid $3.40 to show.

 

Beholder was the fifth female Thoroughbred to run in the Pacific Classic, preceded by Paseana, fifth in 1992; Island Fashion, ninth in 2005; Amani, sixth in 2012, and Byrama, seventh in 2013.

 

For Mandella, Beholder provided his fourth win in the Pacific Classic. He won memorably in l996 with Dare And Go who upset Cigar, in 1997 with Gentlemen when he also saddled the place horse, Siphon, and Pleasantly Perfect in 2004.

 

Already having earned a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland race course in Lexington, Ky., Oct. 31, Beholder also clinched a place in the Breeders’ Cup Classic should her connections choose so. The Pacific Classic was part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series which guarantees an expenses-paid berth in the mile and one-quarter contest.  

 

GARY STEVENS (Beholder, winner) – “The funny thing was (about her move on the far turn), is that I didn’t do that. She did. You could see her ears straight up. She was just going so easy. We went by Bayern like he was tied. Then when we straightened away I pushed the button and she went on with it. I’ve never felt anything like that on a racetrack before. And I don’t think she’s done yet. She’s got a few more in her. And she’s got a special place in my heart.”

FLAVIEN PRAT (Catch a Flight, second) – “He ran good. A very good race for him. The filly – she’s just too much.”

JOEL ROSARIO (Red Vine, third) – “A good try for my horse. I think his people are very happy. He shipped all this way and ran well.”

MARTIN GARCIA (Hoppertunity, fourth) – “I was in a good spot; right there with Beholder. Then she took off. She’s a freak, man. A freak.”

COREY NAKATANI (Imperative, fifth) – “I’m making my move at the head of the lane and I got banged by Prat’s horse (Catch a Flight). Knocked me right off stride and out of it. If I don’t get banged I think I’m second.”

VICTOR ESPINOZA (Hard Aces, sixth) – “He tried. He wasn’t handling the turns too well. He was spinning his wheels on the turns.”

MIKE SMITH (Class Leader, seventh) – “He made a little run and split the field. He did all he could do.”

JAMES GRAHAM (Bailoutbobby, eighth) – “Aw, give me a mile and a half and then we’ll see.”

RAFAEL BEJARANO (Bayern, ninth) -- “I made an easy lead, but then too much pressure. The pressure did me in.”

TYLER BAZE (Midnight Storm, tenth) – “He ran out of gas.”

 

RICHARD MANDELLA  (Beholder, winner;  Catch a Flight, second) – “Just like we thought. Didn’t think she would do it quite like that, though. We thought it was just the girls she was picking on. Catch a Flight ran great, he’s a good horse. It’s just that nature doesn’t make many like her, ever.”

 

BOB BAFFERT (Hoppertunity, fourth; Bayern, ninth) – “I was really disappointed with Bayern. I thought he would run much better. I was afraid there would be a speed duel and there was. Hoppertunity is a real solid horse. He always gives you a good try.”

 

JOHN SADLER (Hard Aces, sixth; Class Leader, seventh) – “This track wasn’t conducive to closing a lot of ground today. They were so far back they just couldn’t make up the ground. They both tried to make a late run but it didn’t help.”

 

RICHARD BALTAS (Imperative, fifth) – “He ran well, but the mare was just too much.”

JANEEN PAINTER (exercise rider for Beholder) – “I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life. I’ve been riding racehorses since I was 15 and I’ve never had this kind of experience. She is amazing.” (All stated through tears of joy.)

 

 

FRACTIONS:  :22.36  :45.45  1:09.98  1:35.12  1:59.77 

 

 

The stakes win was the fourth of the meeting for rider Stevens and his third in the Pacific Classic. He now has 86 stakes wins at Del Mar, seventh most of all time.

 

The stakes win was the fourth of the meeting for trainer Mandella and his fourth in the Pacific Classic. He now has 57 stakes wins at Del Mar, fifth most of all time.

 

The winning owner is B. Wayne Hughes of Malibu, CA, and Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, KY.

 

Beholder becomes the first female in 25 running of the race to win. Her margin – 8 1/4 lengths – was second largest behind Game On Dude’s 8 1/2 in 2013. 

 

Trainer Mandella ran first and second in this race in 1997 with Gentlemen and Siphon.

 

 

 

JOCKEY GARY STEVENS – “She did that (winning move) all on her own. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.  I don’t know what to compare it to. The way she warmed up today and the way she was on Monday in her final workout. I’ve never walked into the starting gate in a $1 million race as confident. No nerves at all. Usually there is a matter of nerves involved into these races. She caused me to have a normal heart rate going in there and that’s how she ran. Her last two races have been her best races. She’s been stepping it up, and I don’t know how she does.”             

TRAINER RICHARD MANDELLA  --  “I’ve never felt emotion over a race quite like this. When she made that move, it just took my breath away. I’m flabbergasted. I expected her to run well or I wouldn’t have put her in this race. But I didn’t think she’d beat those colts up like that. You know how some people get emotional when they get old. I think I’m in that mode. I’m just starting to turn.” (Breeders’ Cup Classic?) All year she’s had the fillies and mares under control. The last couple I got to thinking I didn’t want to ship her but I wanted to do something special with her and this was it. This was the apple on the tree.”

 

OWNER B. WAYNE HUGHES – “I’m not as emotional as Richard. I’ve had a few good horses in the past. Always had a happy time and enjoyed it. But she is the first horse that makes me feel lucky to be the owner. I’ve never had that feeling before. I think it’s called pride.”