Preachinatthebar, Musique Toujours, and Super Frolic turned in sharp workouts Monday morning as they moved a step closer to running in Del Mar's grade I, $1-million Pacific Classic Sunday, Aug. 21.
Trainer Bob Baffert ordered a "cruising one minute" for the Mike Pegram-owned Preachinatthebar, and that's just what he got from the 4-year-old son of the Baffert-trained 1997 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Silver Charm. He stopped the Del Mar clockers' watches at 1:00.40 under jockey Victor Espinoza.
Musique Toujours made trainer John Sadler happy with a sharp six-furlong move in 1:12.60 under regular exercise rider Jelani Grant. "That was a good work," the trainer said, adding that he has a seven-furlong work scheduled for the 5-year-old next Sunday.Sadler said Jorge Chavez will ride Musique Toujours in the 1 1/4-mile race.
Super Frolic, was all business when he took work rider Joy Scott five furlongs in a snappy 58.80 in company with stablemate Robledo. The latter started two lengths ahead of Super Frolic, who caught his workmate after three furlongs in 34.60. The pair finished together.
"Super Frolic worked quite well," Trainer Vladimir Cerin said. "He came out of the work well, and we're ready for the next step." The horse, a recent purchase by computer company executive Ro Parra, arrived at Cerin's barn last Wednesday.
Though a doubtful participant, according to Churchill Downs-based trainer Paul McGee, Suave has not been ruled out of the Pacific Classic by the trainer or his owners, the JMS Stable of Mace and Samantha Siegel. The chances are better, McGee said Monday morning, that the 4-year-old son of A.P. Indy will start either in the Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap August 21 or the Philip Iselin Handicap August 28 at Monmouth Park.
Suave worked 6 furlongs in 1:18 Saturday at Churchill Downs.
Also in Louisville, trainer Murray Johnson reported everything remains on track for the appearance of Perfect Drift for a second time in the Pacific Classic. "Everything is going along as planned," Johnson said, adding that his triple millionaire is scheduled to work five furlongs on Saturday at Trackside, Churchill Downs' training facility.
The tentative travel schedule for the 6-year-old son of Dynaformer calls for him to be flown to California Monday.
More works are expected this week from the rest of the prospective cast: Choctaw Nation, Surf Cat, Borrego, Ace Blue, Congrats, and Lava Man.
