Early Pioneer Out of Pacific Classic

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Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Early Pioneer worked five furlongs at Del Mar Saturday morning. Afterwards, though trainer Vladimir Cerin was satisfied with the work, he declared the 5-year-old gelding out of the Aug. 26 Pacific Classic (gr. I).

"He worked very well (Early Pioneer completed the drill in 1:00 3/5), but we're not running in the Pacific Classic," Cerin said. "He missed a little time last week. Basically, he missed one of his works and unless your horse is 100 percent fit, you don't want to run him a mile and a quarter."

Ecton Park breezed five furlongs in 1:01 over a fast track at Saratoga Sunday morning for trainer Elliott Walden. Mark Stanley's 4-year-old will ship to California on Wednesday for Saturday's race.

Meanwhile, the connections of Blazing Sword have yet to decide whether they will enter the Pacific Classic or the Philip H. Iselin Handicap (gr. II) Aug. 27 at Monmouth Park.

Blazing Sword worked five furlongs in 1:01 at Arlington International Saturday morning for trainer Kathleen O'Connell. "He worked very well, and seemed to cool out really well," O'Connell said after the work. "We're all dressed, we just don't know which dance we're going to."

Another of the seven other horses nominated to the race, Forty One Carats, is schedule to work five furlongs at Del Mar Monday with Eddie Delahoussaye in the irons.

The other nominees for the 1 1/4-mile race are defending champion General Challenge, 1999 Super Derby (gr. I) winner Ecton Park, Stronach Stables' Euchre, San Diego Handicap (gr. III) winner Skimming, River Keen, and 3-year-old Tiznow.

Tiznow put in a seven-furlong drill at Del Mar Thursday morning. The full brother of Budroyale was timed in a quick 1:23 4/5, getting the final half-mile in :47 2/5. The work was the fastest of four at the distance Thursday. Tiznow will start under 117 pounds for the Classic; all others will carry 124 pounds.

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