Three-year-old Tiznow drilled four furlongs at Del Mar Wednesday morning and then drew post position four for Saturday's $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I). The full brother to Budroyale, who will be ridden by Chris McCarron in the 1 1/4-mile race, completed his morning work in :48 3/5, handily, over the fast track.
"He's been training very well here," said trainer Jay Robbins. "It remains to be seen whether he can compete with these older horses." The lone sophomore in the field, Tiznow will start under 117 pounds, seven less than his older rivals.
Those rivals include General Challenge, who won the 1999 Pacific Classic as a 3-year-old. The Golden Eagle Farm's gelding is trained by Bob Baffert and will start from post position two under Corey Nakatani. Baffert also trains Pacific Classic starter River Keen, who drew the rail.
"I hate to have my two horses together," said Baffert. "I would rather they had been in the middle. But we're just happy to be in the race and the horses are doing well. That's more important than post position in a mile and a quarter race."
The Pacific Classic will be telecast by TVG and Fox Sports West. Post time is 4:15 p.m. (PDT). The field will be:
1--River Keen, Victor Espinoza, 15-1
2--General Challenge, Corey Nakatani, 9-5
3--Euchre, David Flores, 8-1
4--Tiznow, Chris McCarron, 5-1
5--Skimming, Garrett Gomez, 5-2
6--Ecton Park, Kent Desormeaux, 7-2
7--Forty One Carats, Eddie Delahoussaye, 12-1
