PLAYING THE ‘WHAT IF’ GAME FOR THE TVG PACIFIC CLASSIC
We read through the press kit for the 26th running of the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic and skimmed the record book (to save you time and bother – no thanks necessary) and came up with the following tidbits in post position order:
If California Chrome wins: The $600,000 winner’s share of the purse would increase his North American record career earnings to $13,252,650 … Would end the Pacific Classic drought for jockey Victor Espinoza, who comes in 0-for-15, the most ever for a rider … Would make trainer Art Sherman a winner with his first Pacific Classic entrant and likewise for owners Perry Martin and Taylor Made Farm .. Would be the third to win from the No. 1 post following Bertrando (1993) and General Challenge (1999).
If Hoppertunity wins: It would be the fifth Pacific Classic victory for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, after General Challenge (1999), Richard’s Kid (2009, 2010) and Game On Dude (2013) …Would represent an initial Pacific Classic victory for owner Mike Pegram in four tries and his second attempt in partnership with Karl Watson and Paul Weitman … Would represent a step up for jockey Flavien Prat, 24, who finished second on Catch a Flight in 2015. Prat enters the day leading the meeting’s jockey standings with 26 wins in as many racing days.
If War Story wins: The invader from Thistledown in Cleveland would be the fourth cross-country shipper to win joining Bertrando (1993), whose last race before the Pacific Classic was at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, Student Council (2007, Churchill Downs) and Dullahan (2012, Monmouth) … Would be the fifth gelding to win, the others being: Best Pal (1991), Lava Man (2006), Game On Dude (2013) and Shared Belief (2014) ... A victory in the initial Pacific Classic experience for owner Ron Paolucci, trainer Dean Greenman and jockey Ricardo Mejias.
If Hard Aces wins: Any top-five placing will boost his career earnings over the $1 million mark and the $600,000 winner’s share would send it to $1,599,645 … Becomes the 29th horse to compete in multiple Classics. He was sixth in 2015 … Would represent an initial Pacific Classic victory in the ninth try for trainer John Sadler … Sadler had second place finishes with Kettle Corn in 2013 and Twirling Candy in 2011 … Second Pacific Classic involvement for owners Kosta and Pete Hronis, both times with Hard Aces … First Pacific Classic for jockey Santiago Gonzalez, who starts the day second in the meet rider standings.
If Win the Space wins: He would become the 14th Kentucky-bred to prevail and only the second of gray/roan color (Free House, 1998) … It would represent a victory with his second Pacific Classic starter for trainer George Papaprodromou, who saddled Imperative (now trained by Richard Baltas and next in the starting gate) to a third-place finish in 2014 … Would be a first victory with his sixth mount for jockey Joe Talamo, whose previous best was fourth aboard Richard’s Kid in 2013.
If Imperative wins: He would become the 14th Kentucky-bred to prevail and the fifth gelding, the others being: Best Pal (1991), Lava Man (2006), Game On Dude (2013) and Shared Belief (2014) ,,, Would represent a Pacific Classic victory with the second starter for trainer Richard Baltas, who sent Imperative out for a fifth-place finish in 2015 … It would be a remarkable moment for jockey Norberto Arroyo, Jr., 40, who was a leading apprentice and the leading rider in New York in 2000, had ridden only one previous season at Del Mar (2006) and has achieved Top 10 status in the meet rider standings.
If Beholder wins: She would become the fourth repeat champion, joining Tinners Way (1994-95), Skimming (2000-2001) and Richard’s Kid (2009-2010) … She would go over the $5 million mark in career earnings, reaching $5,396,600 … Would be the fifth Pacific Classic win for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella following Dare And Go (1996), Gentlemen (1997), Pleasantly Perfect (2004) and Beholder from 17 starters … Would be the fourth Pacific Classic win for Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, whose previous have come on Bertrando (1993), Gentlemen (1997) and Beholder (2015) from 11 mounts
If Dortmund wins: It would be the fifth Pacific Classic victory for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, after General Challenge (1999), Richard’s Kid (2009, 2010) and Game On Dude (2013) … Dortmund and Hoppertunity lift Baffert’s Pacific Classic starters total to 21, breaking a tie with Bobby Frankel at the top of the list. Frankel holds the Pacific Classic victory record with six … Would be the first Pacific Classic victory in the ninth try for Rafael Bejarano, the four-time defending meet riding champion. His previous best was a third on Mast Track in 2008 … Second Pacific Classic starter for owner Kaleem Shah, whose Breeders’ Cup Classic-winning Bayern was ninth to Beholder in 2015.
If Dalmore wins: He would become the sixth 3-year-old to win, following Best Pal (1991), General Challenge (1999), Came Home (2002), Dullahan (2012) and Shared Belief (2014) … Would represent a first-attempt Classic win for trainer Keith Desormeaux and a second victory with his 13th starter for his Hall of Fame rider/brother Kent. The victory for Kent was aboard Missionary Ridge in 1992 … First starter for owners Matt Bryan of Flower Mound, Texas (Big Chief Racing) and Ronald Ortowski of Gainesville, Texas (Rocker O Ranch).
‘EXPERTS’ DIVIDED, BUT ALL SIDE WITH ONE OF THE ‘BIG THREE’
A sampling of TVG Pacific Classic selections from an eclectic group of “experts” randomly chosen based mainly on availability and willingness to participate. (In a similar poll in 2015, 10 of 23 correctly identified Beholder, who won by 8 ¼ lengths as the 2-1 favorite.
Steve Andersen, Daily Racing Form – California Chrome. “He’s at the top of his game.”
Brad Free, Daily Racing Form – California Chrome. “With Beholder second and Dalmore picking up the pieces in third.”
Scott Shapiro, DMTC Seminar host – California Chrome. “Loves the distance and is the class of the field.”
Bob Ike, handicapper – California Chrome. “Despite the rail, he’s the best.”
Jeremy Balan, Blood Horse correspondent – California Chrome. “Even with the rail post he’s superior at 1 ¼ miles.”
Jay Posner, Sports Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune – California Chrome. “When in doubt, and I definitely have doubts, take the best horse.”
Jeff Nahill, Handicapper/turf writer, San Diego Union-Tribune – Dortmund. “He tired in his loss to Chrome in the San Diego, but he should be fitter this time and has been training lights out.”
Chris Ello, San Diego Union Tribune correspondent – Beholder. “I’d choose a sensational lady over a sensational dude every time.”
Larry Zap, Bloodstock agent – Beholder. “I like everything she’s doing since her last race, and if she runs the (Pacific Classic) race she did last year, she wins.”
Harris Auerbach, owner – Beholder. “I always root for the fillies.”
Doug O’Neill, trainer – California Chrome. “He’s such a warrior.”
John Malone, DMTC clocker – Dortmund. “He’s looked great in all his workouts since his last race.”
Simon Callaghan, trainer – Dortmund. “Marginally, by improvement off his last one.”
Dave Hofmans, trainer -- Dortmund. “I think he needed his last and I think he’s going to improve.”
Michael Hepworth, international turf writer – Beholder. “Ignore her last race, Mandella should have her right.”
Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron: California Chrome. “If my agent asked me who I wanted to ride I would say California Chrome. I was always inclined to choose a male over a mare. Chrome is coming off a really good race and Beholder is coming off a not-so-good race. But she’ll be tough.”
Trainer Matthew Chew: Beholder. “She’s going into the race perfect and we’re here in the same barn with Richard Mandella. The distance last time favored the other filly [Stellar Wind]. The mile and a quarter will be good for her. If Mandella thought she was anything but tip-top, he wouldn’t send her out.”
Trainer Peter Eurton: California Chrome. “My heart’s with Beholder, but nobody beats the Chrome today. He’s too good right now.”
Ben Huffman, racing secretary at Churchill Downs and Keeneland: California Chrome.
Trainer Jesse Mendoza: Beholder. “I like the girl. I think she can do it again.”
Trainer Patrick Gallagher and also CHRB member Madeline Auerbach: “Triple dead heat.”
COMEBACK OF OM ADDS INTRIGUE TO SUNDAY’S DEL MAR MILE
Dan Hendricks-trained Om, one of only two horses to beat American Pharoah and the winner of the 2015 Del Mar Derby, returns from a five-month layoff to face four rivals in Sunday’s Grade II $200,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap.
Om, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Munnings, broke his maiden here on August 9, 2014 going wire-t-wire, 6 ½ furlongs on the Polytrack surface and winning by 7 ¼ lengths. American Pharoah, making his first start, was second to the top of the stretch before fading to fifth in a field of nine. It was the last loss for 2015 Triple Crown champion American Pharoah until Keen Ice ended his eight-race winning streak in the Travers Stakes a year ago.
Om returned to Del Mar in 2015, finishing second to Prospect Park in the La Jolla Handicap before producing a 2 1/4 –length victory in the Del Mar Derby. Owned by the Sareen Family Trust, Om started his 2016 campaign with a third in the Grade II Arcadia Stakes at Santa Anita but has been away since a disappointing last-of-six performance in the Grade I Kilroe Mile there on March 12.
The field from the rail: Om (Gary Stevens, 7-2), Midnight Storm (Rafael Bejarano, 4-5), Ohio (Brice Blanc, 5-1), Little Curlin (Santiago Gonzalez, 6-1) and Ambitious Brew (Flavien Prat, 5-1).
DEL MAR, STRONACH GROUP OFFER $1-MILLION ‘CALIFORNIA’ BONUS
Del Mar and The Stronach Group have announced an offer of a $1-million bonus to a horse who sweeps this year’s TVG Pacific Classic, the Xpressbet Awesome Again Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The three Grade I races, all open to 3-year-olds and up, are scheduled to be run on Saturday, August 20 (TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar), Saturday, October 1 (Xpressbet Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita Park) and Saturday, November 5 (Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park).
The $1,000,000 TVG Pacific Classic and the $5,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic are both run at a mile and one quarter. The $300,000 Xpressbet Awesome Again is contested at a mile and one eighth.
“A big part of our business is to bring our fans the stars of the game,” said Del Mar’s executive vice president for racing Tom Robbins. “A bonus like this is an extra added incentive for the best horses to come to Southern California and aim for our biggest prizes. With the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita again this year, it is a gold lining on a natural path for a potential champion.”
Santa Anita will host the Breeders’ Cup for a record ninth time this year on Friday and Saturday, November 4 and 5.
RIDING LEGENDS PINCAY AND McCARRON WILL SIGN AND SHINE
Hall of Fame jockeys Laffit Pincay, Jr. and Chris McCarron will have an autograph signing session Sunday from noon to 1 p.m. in the Plaza de Mexico area behind the grandstand.
In the winner’s circle following the third race on the program, Pincay will present McCarron with the Laffit Pincay, Jr., Award.
ATTENTION MEDIA MEMBERS: BE PREPARED TO SAY ‘CHEESE’
The group photo for members of the Del Mar media will be taken immediately after the fourth race on the roof next to the media lounge.
CLOSERS -- Selected works from 155 officially timed Saturday morning: Stellar Wind (4f, :49.00), Storm the Shore (4f, :45.80), Misstressofthenight (6f, 1:11.60), Toews On Ice (6f, 1:13.00).
DEL MAR STATISTICS
Jockey Standings
(Current Through Friday, August 19, 2016 Inclusive)
|
Jockey |
Mts |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Win% |
In-money% |
Money Won |
|
Flavien Prat |
133 |
26 |
20 |
14 |
20% |
45% |
$1,544,230 |
|
Santiago Gonzalez |
143 |
22 |
24 |
18 |
15% |
45% |
$1,084,759 |
|
Rafael Bejarano |
111 |
22 |
21 |
18 |
20% |
55% |
$1,373,901 |
|
Kent Desormeaux |
95 |
16 |
18 |
12 |
17% |
48% |
$949,763 |
|
Tyler Baze |
124 |
14 |
18 |
23 |
11% |
44% |
$883,423 |
|
Victor Espinoza |
49 |
12 |
8 |
8 |
24% |
57% |
$877,878 |
|
Stewart Elliott |
68 |
10 |
6 |
7 |
15% |
34% |
$393,185 |
|
Mario Gutierrez |
72 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
13% |
39% |
$654,752 |
|
Norberto Arroyo Jr. |
62 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
13% |
42% |
$413,802 |
|
Tiago Pereira |
69 |
8 |
9 |
4 |
12% |
30% |
$362,758 |
Trainer Standings
(Current Through Friday, August 19, 2016 Inclusive)
|
Trainer |
Sts |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Win% |
In-money% |
Money Won |
|
Philip D'Amato |
66 |
13 |
7 |
9 |
20% |
44% |
$859,057 |
|
Bob Baffert |
44 |
11 |
9 |
5 |
25% |
57% |
$896,815 |
|
Richard Baltas |
51 |
10 |
9 |
6 |
20% |
49% |
$602,851 |
|
Peter Miller |
59 |
9 |
10 |
9 |
15% |
47% |
$514,280 |
|
Mark Glatt |
37 |
9 |
7 |
8 |
24% |
65% |
$335,270 |
|
John W. Sadler |
40 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
23% |
55% |
$644,160 |
|
Michael Machowsky |
18 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
44% |
50% |
$236,965 |
|
Doug F. O'Neill |
90 |
7 |
11 |
13 |
8% |
34% |
$515,375 |
|
James M. Cassidy |
33 |
7 |
3 |
5 |
21% |
45% |
$374,052 |
|
Jerry Hollendorfer |
40 |
5 |
8 |
2 |
13% |
38% |
$379,253 |
Winning Favorites Report
(Current Through Friday, August 19, 2016 Inclusive)
Winning favorites -- 78 out of 227 -- 34.36%
Winning favorites on dirt -- 54 out of 145 -- 37.24%
Winning favorites on turf -- 24 out of 82 -- 29.27%
Winning odds-on favorites -- 15 out of 32 -- 46.88%
In-the-Money favorites -- 159 out of 227 -- 70.04%
In-the-Money odds-on favorites -- 25 out of 32 -- 78.13%
Contact: Dan Smith 858-792-4226/Hank Wesch 858-755-1141 ext. 3793