The top three finishers from the July 17 GII San Diego H. line up once again, joined by several fresh faces, in Saturday's GI TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar, a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The winner of that event was Express Train (Union Rags), who earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for that half-length score. Winner of the GII San Pasqual S. earlier this term, the bay was second in the GI Santa Anita H. in March and third to subsequent GI Met Mile winner Silver State (Hard Spun) in the GII Oaklawn H. Apr. 17. He also completed the trifecta in the GI Hollywood Gold Cup May 31.
San Diego runner-up Tripoli (Kitten's Joy) was making his black-type bow in the San Diego and third-place Royal Ship (Brz) (Midshipman) won the GII Californian S. in April.
Todd Pletcher ships in from New York with a strong contender in Dr Post (Quality Road). Capturing the GIII Westchester S. in his seasonal bow May 1, the dark bay checked in fifth in the Met Mile June 5 and returned to winning ways in the GIII Monmouth Cup July 17.
Tizamagician (Tiznow) has developed into a force to be reckoned with as a 4-year-old and has a shot at Grade I glory here. Romping by nine lengths in the GIII Tokyo City S. Apr. 18, the dark bay was second in Belmont's GII Brooklyn S. June 5 and rebounded with a win in Del Mar's 12-furlong GIII Cougar II S. July 18.
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