California Chrome is the one to beat in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Saturday but he didn’t scare anybody as 8 opponents will challenge the superstar.
The 26th running of the $1 million Pacific Classic at a mile and a quarter is one of the best Classics in decades. Some pundits have compared this field to the group that lined up when Dare and Go beat the great Cigar in 1996.
California Chrome must contend with the rail and that has been a problem in the past. He has drawn the Number 1 post twice in this country and ran 6th both times. He is clearly a better horse now. His trainer, Art Sherman, is on record as saying ‘he’s coming in as good as I’ve seen him’.
In probably an ill-advised move, California Chrome was sent over to Dubai for his 2015 closer in the Dubai World Cup and ran second with a bad trip. It took him time to recover from that defeat but he made amends by winning the World Cup in March of this year. He is coming to the Pacific Classic riding a 4-race win streak and is coming off a 111 Beyer Speed Figure when he won the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar last month.
California Chrome is only one of 3 horses in the field that has won at this distance.
Hoppertunity is one of a pair of Bob Baffert trainees in the Pacific Classic. He ran a solid third to California Chrome in March and was a nose away from completing the trifecta in the Grade 1 Gold Cup in his last race. The concern about Hoppertunity is that he is speed challenged and needs things to unfold just right.
War Story could be part of the pace in the Pacific Classic and one of his best assets is that he has speed but doesn’t need the lead to win. The gelding made his first start of 2016 at Thistledown in Ohio the end of July and he left his foes gasping for air. One could do worse than using him on the bottom half of trifecta or superfecta tickets.
Hard Aces has put together a pair of solid workouts since taking his foes wire-to-wire in the Cougar Handicap on July 24. He only beat 3 rivals that day and the waters are much steeper in this race.
Win the Space regressed a bit last time after he finished in front of Hard Aces in the Gold Cup. He has some semblance of positional speed and will be re-united with Joe Talamo, who won with this runner last October.
Imperative has never been a win machine. He is only 3 for 32 in his career but he has stepped up when the lights were bright. He ran third in the Pacific Classic in 2014 and he also won at Charles Town in the $1.5 million CT Classic back in the day. For Imperative to succeed Saturday, he needs the leaders to duel and stop.
The champion mare Beholder will be hoping for a rebound run and her Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella has the utmost confidence in her. She was the prohibitive favorite in her last race but was upset by the quality runner Stellar Wind. She has trained superbly for this race and she already has shown she can beat males. Beholder earned a 114 Beyer winning the Pacific Classic last year.
Dortmund looms the ‘wise guy’ horse. The Baffert student is 8 for 11 in his career and the only time he was not in the money is when he caught the off going in American Pharoah’s Preakness success. Dortmund’s three losses all came at the hands of Kentucky Derby winners, Pharaoh and California Chrome. Dortmund had not run since winning the Native Diver last November but he gave California Chrome all he could handle in the San Diego losing by a half-length.
Dalmore looms an outsider. It took him time to graduate but he has won his last 2 races and is fresh from a career best 102 Beyer. One of his best assets is that he is trained by Keith Asmussen, who also saddled Exaggerator to win this year’s Preakness at Pimlico.
Basically, you have three monster horses in this race and 6 rank outsiders. Because of that fact, it could very well become a ‘rider’s race’ where the early tactics of the main jockeys dictate the outcome.
California Chrome figures to be sent hard since his hand could be forced by him drawing the rail. Dortmund made the lead last time and he’s comfortable in that position as he won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on the front end.
The pick is Beholder because of her versatility and her Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens. She has won 17 of 23 races in her career, has a brilliant stalk and pounce style and that should play perfectly in this race. Look for Beholder to settle off the pace and sit 2 or 3 lengths behind California Chrome and Dortmund and then fly by in the last 100 yards. The value should also be there as Beholder is tabbed as the third choice on the morning line.
Grab a margarita, bet early, sit back and enjoy.
Good luck.
