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Dozen Appear Solid for Pacific Classic
A dozen older horses remain solidly committed to competing in Del Mar's signature race, the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) on Aug. 24. The 1 1/4-mile Polytrack test is a "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge race with the winner getting an automatic spot in the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Oct. 25 at Santa Anita, site of the two days of Breeders' Cup championship races. All older horses will carry 124 pounds in the Pacific Classic; 3-year-olds get in with 117 pounds. Twenty-three horses, including three 3-year-olds, were nominated at closing Thursday. Here's how the 12 likely runners shape up: Horse -- Trainer -- Jockey Awesome Gem -- Craig Dollase -- Tyler Baze Barcola -- Mark Hennig -- Corey Nakatani Delosvientos -- Giuseppe Iadisernia -- Eibar Coa Go Between -- William I. Mott -- Garrett Gomez Mast Track -- Robert Frankel -- Mike Smith McCann's Mojave -- Steven Specht -- Julio Garcia Mostacolli Mort -- Julio Canani -- Victor Espinoza Out of Control -- Robert Frankel -- Rafael Bejarano Student Council -- Steven Asmussen -- Shaun Bridgmohan Surf Cat -- Bruce Headley -- David Flores Well Armed -- Eoin Harty -- Aaron Gryder Zappa -- John Sadler -- No rider named The 3-year-olds nominated are Colonel John, Tres Borrachos, and Dixie Chatter, with the first two being pointed for the Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 23 at Saratoga. Dixie Chatter is training toward the Del Mar Derby. The other older horses nominated and not likely to run are Champs Elysees, entered in Saturday's Sword Dancer Handicap (gr. IT) at Saratoga; Curlin, who is heading to Saratoga's Woodward (gr. I) Aug. 30; Dominican, Informed, Lewis Michael, Perfect Drift, Stream Cat, and Tissy Fit. |
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