By Hank Wesch
PLAYING THE ‘WHAT IF’ GAME FOR THE TVG PACIFIC CLASSIC
We read through the press kit for the Silver Anniversary 25th 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 Class Leader wins: Mike Smith’s fifth victory would break a tie with Garrett Gomez for the most Pacific Classic wins and give Smith four victories in the last seven runnings of the Classic … Smith has three wins and a third in the last four Classics in which he has had a mount.
If Bailoutbobby wins: He would become the sixth gelding to win, and third in a row, joining Best Pal (1991), General Meeting (1999), Lava Man (2006), Game On Dude (2013) and Shared Belief (2014) …
If Bayern wins: He would become the second Breeders’ Cup Classic winner to follow up with a Pacific Classic score the following year. Pleasantly Perfect did it in 2003-04 … Cigar attempted the Classic-Classic double in 1995-96, but was famously thwarted here by Dare And Go … Victory No. 5 for trainer Bob Baffert would move him within one of all-time leader Bobby Frankel.
If Hard Aces wins: The Gold Cup at Santa Anita winner would become the fourth to follow up a Gold Cup victory with one in the Pacific Classic. Gentlemen (1997), Lava Man (2006) and Game On Dude (2013) took the Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park …Trainer John Sadler and jockey Victor Espinoza would head for the winner’s circle ending a combined 0-for-20 streak in the race.
If Red Vine wins: It would ring up a second Classic for owners Jon and Sarah Kelly, who were in a partnership that raced Borrego in 2005 … He would become the third eastern shipper to win, joining Student Council (2007) and Dullahan (2012).
If Imperative wins: It would be the second victory in a record 16 Pacific Classic rides for jockey Corey Nakatani, who also has two seconds and a third … It would mark a two-step advancement for Imperative, third in the 2014 Classic and make him the first “under new management” winner. Trainer Richard Baltas has had the 5-year-old gelding in his care for only a couple of months.
If Catch a Flight wins: Jockey Flavien Prat would become the sixth rider in history to win with a first mount. Patrick Valenzuela took the inaugural Classic with Best Pal in 1991, Garrett Gomez won with Skimming in 2000, Mike Smith with Came Home in 2002, Julie Krone with Candy Ride in 2003 and Richard Migliore aboard Student Council in 2007 … Krone and Migliore retired with perfect, 1-for-1, Pacific Classic records.
If Hoppertunity wins: It would be a first win, with his second starter for longtime Bob Baffert friend/client/supporter Mike Pegram, who owns the 4-year-old colt in partnership with Karl Watson and Paul Weitman … See Bayern for Baffert information.
If Beholder wins: The fifth female runner in Pacific Classic history would be the first to return to the winner’s circle. Paseana (5th, 1992), Island Fashion (9th, 2005), Amani (6th, 2012) and Byrama (7th, 2013) were predecessors in making the attempt … Beholder, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff via her victory in the Clement L. Hirsch here, would become a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic as well … It would be the fourth Pacific Classic victory for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, the first since 2004 (Pleasantly Perfect).
If Midnight Storm wins: It would make trainer Phil D’Amato a first-out winner on his own after going 0-for-2 as an assistant to the late Mike Mitchell, Del Mar’s all-time leading trainer for wins … It would be the first win, with his eighth mount, for jockey Tyler Baze.
WHAT’S IN A NAME – TVG-PACIFIC CLASSIC
The Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic was inaugurated in 1991 as Del Mar’s signature event of the summer season, contested at the American championship distance of one mile and a quarter. Three-year-old Best Pal won the first running for breeders and owners John and Betty Mabee of Golden Eagle Farm. Today marks the Silver Anniversary 25th running of the event.
‘EXPERTS’ PICK BEHOLDER, BUT NOT BY A LANDSLIDE
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 2014, 10 out of 21 correctly selected Shared Belief, who won by 2 ¾ lengths as the 6-5 favorite).
Jay Privman, Daily Racing Form – Red Vine. “My favorite licorice.”
Steve Anderson, Daily Racing Form – Hard Aces. “I think he’s a little underrated.”
Brad Free, Daily Racing Form – Midnight Storm. “In a stunning upset.”
Ed Zieralski, Union-Tribune/L.A. Times – American Pharoah. “In absentia.”
Jeff Nahill, Union-Tribune – Red Vine. “I think he can get the mile and a quarter.”
Jon Lindo, Union-Tribune – Beholder. “If the Mandella team thinks she’s good enough, that’s good enough for me.”
Art Wilson, Los Angeles Newspaper Group – Red Vine. “Christophe Clement and Joel Rosario aren’t shipping out here to finish second.”
Jeremy Balan, Blood Horse – Imperative. “I’ll root for Beholder but Imperative’s the best value bet with a very good shot to win.”
Jennie Rees, Louisville Courier-Journal – Beholder. “She edges her stablemate (Catch a Flight) and then we get a delicious debate about whether she should run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic or Distaff. Imagine the marquee Classic matchup of a Triple Crown winner vs. a two-time filly champ!”
Bob Ike, horsebills.com – Red Vine. “Going to go with a good-looking new shooter out here.”
Toby Turrell, handicapper – Hoppertunity. “Makes the last run the winning one.”
Larry Zap, Handicapper – Beholder. “I don’t think she’s ever carried this much flesh and looked this good.”
Ed Hovdey, press box steward – Beholder. “It will be cool to see a female horse win it.”
Jim Gluckson, Breeders’ Cup Director of Media – Beholder. “What Jennie said.”
Tim Yakteen, trainer – Imperative. “Always shows up, especially at Del Mar, and he’s rested and ready.”
Peter Eurton, trainer – Beholder. “Got to go with my heart and root for the girl.”
Vince DeGregory, jockey agent – Beholder. “I think the mare’s going to win, sharp as she is right now.”
Art Sherman, trainer -- Beholder. “Strictly the horse to beat.”
Barry Abrams, trainer -- Bayern. “If he gets a flier out of the gate he might not be caught.
Madeline Auerbach, owner --Hoppertunity. “If the pace is too fast he’ll be the one coming from behind.”
Gayle Van Leer, bloodstock agent -- Beholder. “I have horses in the same barn so I see her all the time. She just looks fantastic.”
Jeff Reichert, Daybreak at Del Mar assistant – Red Vine. “Clement only ships ‘live’ horses.”
Kent Desormeaux, Hall of Fame jockey _”I can’t predict because I don’t want to offend any owners or trainers. But I will say I wouldn’t mind being on Beholder if I had the chance.”
WILD DUDE GOES FOR SPRINT STAKES SWEEP IN O’BRIEN
Wild Dude will attempt to become the fourth horse in 13 years to sweep Del Mar’s sprint stakes series when the 5-year-old son of Wildcat Heir faces three rivals in today’s $250,000 Grade II Pat O’Brien Stakes. Bob Baffert-trained Turnover was scratched Saturday morning.
Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Flavien Prat, Wild Dude was a 1 ½-length winner of the six furlong Bing Crosby Stakes on July 26 and will tackle the seven furlong O’Brien, a distance at which he has one win in his last four attempts.
The most recent horses to complete the Crosby-O’Brien sweep are Zensational (2009), Kela (2004) and Disturbingthepeace (2002).
The O’Brien, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, goes as the fourth on an 11-race card with an approximate post time of 3:42 p.m.
WHAT’S IN A NAME – PAT O’BRIEN STAKES
The Pat O’Brien Stakes honors the memory of the great film actor who, along with friend and fellow show business star Bing Crosby, founded Del Mar in the late thirties. Today marks the 30th running of the race which was inaugurated in 1986.
BIG JOHN B BACK ON TURF AS DEL MAR HANDICAP FAVORITE
When Big John B won the Grade III $100,000 Cougar II Handicap on Friday, July 24, trainer Phil D’Amato expressed no surprise at the 1 ½ mile victory on dirt by a horse that had made his last eight starts on the turf.
“He trains just as well on dirt as he does on the grass,” D’Amato said.
But after giving some thought to today’s 1 ¼-mile TVG Pacific Classic (dirt), D’Amato opted for the 1 3/8-mile turf marathon of the Grade II $250,000 Del Mar Handicap, one race earlier on the program.
It’s a race in which the six-year-old gelded son of Hard Spun is the defending champion. In 2014, Big John B won the Del Mar Handicap, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf, as the climax of a three-race winning streak which keyed a year of $300,650 in earnings.
WHAT’S IN A NAME – DEL MAR HANDICAP
The Del Mar Handicap dates back to the track’s opening year of 1937. It has been won by legendary names like Ligaroti, Crazy Kid, Go West Young Man, Native Diver, Figonero, Ancient Title and Precisionist.
SCRATCH OF OBVIOUSLY REDUCES DEL MAR MILE FIELD TO 10
Two-time Del Mar Mile winner Obviously was scratched Saturday morning from Sunday’s 29th running of the Grade II $200,00 event, reducing the field to 10.
Obviously was the 5-2 morning line favorite and 124-pound high weight for the anticipated first start in nine months for the seven-year-old, Irish-bred son of Choisir trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Joe Talamo.
With Obviously out, favoritism will likely go to Bal a Bali, a 5-year-old Brazilian champion whose two U.S. starts have produced a victory in the Grade III American Stakes and fifth place finish behind Talco in the Grade I Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita
The field from the rail: Pure Tactics (Mike Smith, 8-1), Talco (Rafael Bejarano, 7-2), Jimmy Bouncer (Mario Gutierrez, 30-1), Bal a Bali (Flavien Prat, 3-1), Marchman (Kent Desormeaux, 20-1), Wilkinson (Tyler Baze, 15-1), Kulik Lodge (Drayden Van Dyke, 20-1), Winning Prize (Martin Garcia, 15-1), Di Giorgio (Felipe Valdez, 20-1), Avanzare (Gary Stevens, 6-1).
AMERICAN PHAROAH TODAY
The Triple Crown champion galloped approximately one mile under exercise rider George Alvarez. American Pharoah is scheduled to work Sunday morning in the usual 7:45-8 a.m. time frame.
CLOSERS – Jockey agent Vince de Gregory on the $103.60 win on Bird E House in Thursday’s seventh race by his rider, Gonzalo Nicolas: “His dam sire, Chester House, was good on grass. But other than that, his form wouldn’t lead you to him.” … Trainer Craig Lewis said Warren’s Veneda, who suffered a bruised foot in training 10 days ago, will not make next Sunday’s Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga as hoped but, with continued improvement, will go next in the Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita … Selected works from 154 officially timed Saturday morning: Ralis (5f, 1:01.20), Kadesha (5f, 1:03.80), Justin Squared (5f, :58.80), Honey Ride (5f, 1:00.60), Boat Drinks (5f, 1:01.40), Swipe (4f, :50.20), Gomo (4f, :48.80), Masochistic (3f, :36.40) … With two wins Friday, three-time defending riding champion Rafael Bejarano has opened up an eight-win margin over Tyler Baze atop the jockey standings. Bejarano’s win on Chief of Staff in Friday’s fifth race for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer pulled Hollendorfer into a tie with Doug O’Neill for the training lead with 13 victories each. Hollendorfer is the defending co-champion with Peter Miller, who is two wins behind the co-leaders.
DEL MAR STATISTICS
| Jockey Standings | ||||||
| (Current Through Friday, August 21, 2015 Inclusive) | ||||||
| Jockey | Mts | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Win% | Money Won |
| Rafael Bejarano | 142 | 28 | 29 | 19 | 20% | $1,667,734 |
| Tyler Baze | 147 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 14% | $1,212,388 |
| Joseph Talamo | 133 | 19 | 11 | 11 | 14% | $1,080,938 |
| Flavien Prat | 122 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 14% | $1,206,822 |
| Santiago Gonzalez | 118 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 14% | $939,766 |
| Mario Gutierrez | 86 | 15 | 9 | 7 | 17% | $860,516 |
| Kent Desormeaux | 72 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 17% | $663,634 |
| Martin Garcia | 92 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 12% | $760,340 |
| Corey Nakatani | 55 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 20% | $504,866 |
| Tiago Pereira | 69 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 14% | $386,960 |
| Trainer Standings | ||||||
| (Current Through Friday, August 21, 2015 Inclusive) | ||||||
| Trainer | Sts | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Win% | Money Won |
| Doug F. O'Neill | 72 | 13 | 15 | 8 | 18% | $998,840 |
| Jerry Hollendorfer | 58 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 22% | $825,642 |
| Peter Miller | 89 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12% | $755,004 |
| Philip D'Amato | 55 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 18% | $656,842 |
| Richard Baltas | 50 | 10 | 6 | 11 | 20% | $506,172 |
| John W. Sadler | 35 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 26% | $414,852 |
| Mike Puype | 51 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 16% | $480,580 |
| Robert B. Hess, Jr. | 39 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 21% | $245,650 |
| Bob Baffert | 38 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 18% | $566,170 |
| Mark Glatt | 41 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 15% | $310,360 |
| Winning Favorites Report | |||
| (Current Through Friday, August 21, 2015 Inclusive) | |||
| Winning favorites | 64 | 235 | 27.23% |
| Winning favorites on dirt | 47 | 161 | 29.19% |
| Winning favorites on turf | 17 | 74 | 22.97% |
| Winning odds-on favorites | 12 | 23 | 52.17% |
| In-the-Money favorites | 133 | 235 | 56.60% |
| In-the-Money odds-on favorites | 21 | 23 | 91.30% |
Contact: Dan Smith 858-792-4226/Hank Wesch 858-755-1141 ext. 3793