Though it's still more than three weeks away, Del Mar's $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) on August 25 appears to be a viable prospect for Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds' Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) champion Sky Jack, trainer Doug O'Neill said Thursday morning. Earlier, O'Neill indicated that he usually wants more time between major races for the 6-year-old son of Jaklin Klugman, who would be running in the Pacific Classic with a six-week break from the Gold Cup. But O'Neill he said the horse is galloping well at Del Mar and he has scheduled a 6-furlong work for August 11, two weeks prior to the Pacific Classic. O'Neill said he'd decide after the workout whether to pursue a start in the Pacific Classic at 1 1/4-miles, the same as the Gold Cup.
So far, O'Neill says, the horse "looks great" and has held his weight well. After walking the shed row for several days, he said Sky Jack returned to the track last Friday, jogging for three days before heading into gallops on Monday. Other prospects for the Pacific Classic are War Emblem, who runs Sunday in the $1-million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park; Congaree, who figures to run in Sunday's San Diego Handicap here, as do other Classic prospects Euchre, Investor's Dream and Dig for It; Momentum, runner-up in the Hollywood Gold Cup; Total Impact, second to Street Cry in the Dubai World Cup; and Bonus Pack, winner of the Dominion Day Handicap July 1 at Woodbine.