Richard's Kid worked a quick half-mile in :46 4/5 at Del Mar on Aug. 23 as he continued to prep for a defense of his title in the Aug. 28 $1 million Pacific Classic Presented by TVG (gr. I). The workout time was the best among 49 working the distance over the Polytrack surface.
Also turning in a bullet work for the 1 ¼ mile race was The Usual Q. T., who was timed in :58 3/5 for five furlongs, the fastest of 59 working the distance.
Two other Classic probables who worked at Del Mar Aug. 23 were Dakota Phone, the lone horse on the work tab working seven furlongs (1:29 4/5), and Unusual Suspect, whose five-furlong time of 1:01 2/5 was 28th fastest of the day.
Trained by Bob Baffert for Zabeel Racing International Corp., Richard’s Kid won the San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) in six starts subsequent to his Pacific Classic win at 24-1 odds last year. The 5-year-old is coming off consecutive third-place finishes in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) and the Cougar II (gr. III).
Owned by Don Van Racing and partners, The Usual Q. T. won the Eddie Read (gr. IT) at Del Mar on July 24 for trainer James Cassidy. Unusual Suspect, whose trainer Barry Abrams owns the horse in partnership with David and Dyan Abrams, is coming off a second in the Cougar II.
A 5-year-old trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who owns the gelding in partnership with George Todaro, John Carver, and Halo Farms, Dakota Phone won the San Diego Handicap (gr. II) last out.
Also expected for the Pacific Classic are Awesome Gem (making his fourth Pacific Classic appearance), Hold Me Back, Temple City , Crowded House, and Isle of Giant's. Battle of Hastings may also be entered in the race that highlights the Del Mar meet.
