Runners gearing up towards the GI FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic worked over the weekend with three weeks to the big race. Last year's winner, 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) may not return to defend his title after finishing fourth in the GII San Diego per trainer Bob Baffert.
“He's doing fine,” Baffert said. “But I don't know what I'm going to run in the Pacific Classic.”
Meanwhile Subsanador (Fortify), one of two Argentine-breds thought to be headed to the Pacific Classic, will instead run in the GIII Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park Aug. 17 according to trainer Richard Mandella.
Parenting (Justify), Newgate (Into Mischief) and Reincarnate (Good Magic), all from the Baffert barn, have been mentioned as possible runners in the Pacific Classic. Reincarnate, runner-up to Midnight Mammoth (Midnight Lute) in the GIII Cougar II, put in a five-furlong work Saturday, stopping the clock in 1:01.4. (1/4). Newgate, who hasn't raced since returning from the Middle East where he ran ninth in the G1 Dubai World Cup, returned to the work tab Friday, posting a three-furlong bullet in :36.40 (1/8).
Other candidates for Del Mar's marquee race of the summer meet all put in works this week.
Dr. Venkman (Ghostzapper) worked Saturday on the main track going four furlongs in :47.60 (9/92). It was his first work since his victory in the GII San Diego last month. Trainer Mark Glatt indicated he was pleased with the work and is pointing to the Pacific Classic.
Katonah (Klimt), runner-up in the San Diego, is also being pointed to the Pacific Classic. He put in his first work since the San Diego Saturday going four furlongs in :47.40 (6/92).
Midnight Mammoth is pointing to the Classic off of his victory in the GIII Cougar II. Trainer Craig Dollase worked him Saturday, going four furlongs in :48.00 (19/92).
Express Train (Union Rags) is another probable participant off of his third-place finish in the San Diego.
“He came out of the race fine,” trainer John Shirreffs says, “I thought he ran a credible race and we're looking forward to the next one.”
Trainer John Sadler is still uncommitted to running Full Serrano (Full Mast) in the Classic.
“He came out of the race well,” Sadler says. “We'll start to breeze him back next week and look for something here, whether it's that (the Pacific Classic) or not, we haven't decided.”
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