(from Del Mar track notes)
Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Rail Trip, San Diego Handicap (gr. II) victor Informed, and Eddie Read (gr. IT) hero Global Hunter wrapped up their serious work for the $1-million Pacific Classic with drills on the morning of Aug. 30 at Del Mar.
Also finishing their major conditioning for the Sept. 6 Pacific Classic were Parading for trainer Shug McGaughey at Saratoga and Einstein for Helen Pitts-Blasi at Churchill Downs. Both are scheduled to arrive at Del Mar Aug. 31.
Trainer Ron Ellis was not happy with a 1:36 flat mile workout on the main track for Rail Trip, saying, "He went too fast. I wanted him to go nice and easy."
In spite of the quick time, Ellis acknowledged the son of Jump Start turned the mile in handy fashion.
Del Mar clockers caught Rail Trip in fractions of :24 2/5 for the first quarter, :48 1/5 for the half, and 1:12 2/5 for six furlongs. The 4-year-old gelding galloped out 1 1/8 miles in 1:49 3/5. Regular rider Jose Valdivia, Jr., was up for the work.
Trainer Doug O'Neill was effusive following Informed's sharp six-furlong work in 1:12 4/5. The 5-year-old son of Tiznow hung up splits of :24 3/5 and :48 4/5. He was clocked galloping out seven furlongs in 1:25 4/5.
O'Neill said, "He's ready to roll. He's coming into the race locked and loaded."
Global Hunter, with Omar Berrio aboard, zipped six furlongs on the turf in 1:12 1/5, best of three at the distance, in his final preparation. Trainer A.C. Avila said, "He did it very easy. Coming out of the work it's so far, so good."
Parading, a son of Pulpit owned by the Phipps Stable, will be making his second trip west this year, having finished fifth in the Hollywood Gold Cup. The 6-year-old worked four furlongs on a "muddy" training track at Saratoga in :48.33 breezing. McGaughey, speaking by phone afterward, said "We'll get him out there Monday and see what happens." Rafael Bejarano will handle Parading while regular rider Kent Desormeaux remains at Saratoga.
Einstein clocked four furlongs in :49 3/5 breezing at Churchill.
Scheduled to work at Del Mar Aug. 31 are Mast Track, Awesome Gem, and Colonel John.