The $1,000,000 TVG Pacific Classic (G1)

Del Mar Racetrack

Date: Aug. 24, 2014             Distance: 1¼ mile (All-Weather)            Post Time: 5:46PM (PT)

No other land mass or body of water covers as much of our earth as the Pacific Ocean. It is no wonder people flock to its shores each year just to sneak a peek at her majestic beauty. Nature symbolizes far more than the eye could ever see, and with this thought in mind, we turn to the grand ocean as a source of both hope and inspiration. The Pacific Ocean reminds us to look beyond the cresting waves and into a horizon that appears never-ending. It is not only the keeper of our dreams, but for one magical day each August, it becomes the equine kingdom’s most treasured opportunity.

Del Mar Race Track first opened its doors to the public in 1937. The track itself was built by a partnership that included such entertainment royalty as Bing Crosby, Gary Cooper, and Oliver Hardy. Del Mar embodied the classiest side of society, and on a warm summer day, there simply was no better place to be. Over the years, the track has hosted a multitude of celebrities, while the slogans they are known for have become a part of American culture.

In 1991, Del Mar gave birth to the Pacific Classic, a ten furlong race for three year-olds or up that offered a purse of one-million dollars. Best Pal was victorious in that initial running and subsequent winners have included the likes of Lava Man, Candy Ride, and Bertrando. The Pacific Classic has developed into one of racing’s most marquee events held annually.

This year’s group is not the most talented in recent memory. Game On Dude, the 2013 winner, will attempt to repeat his performance from one year ago. In order to defend his title, the “Dude” will be asked to turn back challenges from Majestic Harbor, Frac Daddy, and an undefeated three-year-old sensation named Shared Belief. The stage has now been set as all eyes turn to the West Coast for the 2014 renewal of the Pacific Jewel.

Catch the action on NBC Sports Network this Saturday at 5:00pm (PT) / 8:00pm (ET).


Official Contenders & Post Positions

PP – ContenderJockeyTrainerOdds
1 – Frac DaddyAlan GarciaKenneth McPeek15-1
2 – Irish SurfElvis TrujilloDan Hendricks8-1
3 – ImperativeKent DesormeauxG. Papaprodromou20-1
4 – Ice Cream TruckTiago J. PereiraA. C. Avila30-1
5 – Game On DudeMartin GarciaBob Baffert3-1
6 – You Know I KnowEdwin MaldonadoJohn W. Sadler15-1
7 – Majestic HarborTyler BazeSean McCarthy9-2
8 – Toast of New YorkVictor EspinozaJamie Osborne10-1
9 – Clubhouse RideJoe TalamoCraig A. Lewis8-1
10 – Mystery TrainFernando H.PerezDarrell Vienna20-1
11 – Shared BeliefMike SmithJ. Hollendorfer5-2

The Maiden’s Take

The Kings:

1)Shared Belief- The son of 2003’s Pacific Classic winner, Candy Ride, Shared Belief goes into Sunday’s race undefeated since his debut last October. A proven winner on synthetic and dirt, the Jerry Hollendorfer trained colt has won all five career starts by a combined margin of twenty-nine lengths and has a Beyer speed of 100 (on synthetic) and 105 (on dirt). Though he has yet to go a mile and a quarter, his win in last month’s 1 1/8 Los Alamitos Derby — by 4¼ lengths — appeared to be a breeze, and he didn’t seem to mind the change of surface or the extra furlong. Mike Smith is back in the irons for Jungle Racing LLC and will more than likely sit right off the pace before shaking the colt loose on the turn for home.

2)Game On Dude- Last year’s Pacific Classic winner by 8½ lengths, Game On Dude returns in the hopes of defending his title and scoring a fifth career victory for, trainer, Bob Baffert. This son of Awesome Again has won at the mile and a quarter, on dirt and synthetic, four times since March of 2013. He is a front-runner that will sprint to catch the early pace, which proved to be a huge downfall when he did just that and got winded at the top of the stretch in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Past performances paint him out to be the early speed in Sunday’s field, but there are a couple of  horses that are looking to challenge for the lead. If returning jockey Martin Garcia doesn’t hold the colt back he may come up empty once again.

The Nobles:

1)     Majestic Harbor– Sean McCarthy’s entry is nothing short of a king on dirt, but his only race on all-weather surface was almost two years ago in a 1 1/16 Allowance at Keeneland, where he finished 3rd. Back in June, this son of Rockport Harbor finished 6¼ lengths ahead of the pack, beating Clubhouse Ride (2nd), Imperative (3rd), and Game On Dude (4th) in the 1¼ mile Gold Cup Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita. He’s stalked the pace then taken over the lead at the half-mile pole in his three most recent wins, so expect him to do the same on Sunday. As long as he accepts the all-weather track, the distance shouldn’t be an issue. Tyler Baze is back on for Gallant Stables LLC.

2)     Mystery Train– This Darrell Vienna trained import is by Not For Sale (Arg) and remains untried on American soil. A 4-year-old that has won four 1¼ mile graded stakes races — two of which were in May — is coming off a three month break and stands undefeated, at Sunday’s distance, since December of 2013.  Based on past performances, Mystery Train’s winning times range between 1:58.1 – 2:04.4. So, he’s fast and has a ton of experience over distances when compared to the rest of the field. On the down side, he has no track advantage due to the fact that he’s only run on dirt. Distance not an issue as much as surface acceptance. Fernando Perez will sit atop for the first time.

The Knights:

1)     You Know I Know– John Sadler’s entry has experienced two career victories, since April of 2013, but has yet to do better than third since his third place finish in last year’s Pacific Classic.  I don’t think Sunday is a total shot in the dark for this son of Simon Pure, especially with Edwin Maldonado holding the reins once again in the Classic. His past performances indicate he has ability to trail and use tactical speed, but I’m going to rule out the possibility of a win.

2)     Clubhouse Ride– Craig Anthony Lewis’ colt is by Candy Ride and, technically, a half-brother to Shared Belief. This 6-year-old’s chart is adorned with far more places and shows than anything else. He outran Majestic Harbor in the grade two Californian Stakes, but recently fell short to his rival in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. His last three attempts on synthetic are not very appealing to look at and he seems to perform much better on dirt, but his 7-furlong workout times on Del Mar’s track are lightning fast. Ambitious Joe Talamo hops aboard once again for Six-S Racing Stable.

3)     Irish Surf– Perhaps it’s necessary to say that this son of Giant’s Causeway faced a weak field in the Cougar Stakes (G3), which enabled him to finish a long 8¼ lengths ahead. But nonetheless he ran a strong mile and a half and that is something that shouldn’t be taken so lightly. If he was able to lead a wire to wire victory in a longer race, he should have the stamina to finish in the top four going a mile and a quarter. Elvis Trujillo is back in the saddle for his third consecutive ride on the colt, owned by Gainesway Stable.

4)     Frac DaddyKenneth McPeek’s 4-year-old entry, by Scat Daddy, most recently ran in the San Diego Handicap (G3) and finished fourth behind third place finisher, You Know I Know. A second place finish going a mile and a quarter in the Dominion Day Stakes, at Woodbine, tells me the colt has future potential, but should probably keep from attempting to lead a wire to wire victory as this is what cost him the win in the Dominion Day. Though I don’t think he’ll glorify us on Sunday, he will most likely sit near the pace and should put forth a solid effort. Alan Garcia is back in the irons for Magic City Thoroughbred Partners.

The Peasants:

1)     Ice Cream Truck– The 30-1 long shot, by Pleasantly Perfect, recently finished third in the 1½ mile Cougar II Handicap (G3), finishing ten lengths behind the winner, Irish Surf. Owned by Seacoast Racing LLC, Ice Cream Truck is the least experienced of the bunch and has only won 2 of 17 career starts. Both of his wins were achieved at distances of one mile or less, and his two attempts on synthetic resulted in third place finishes. He seems like a nice horse that could benefit substantially from a more experienced jockey. Tiago Pereira pilots the A. C. Avila trained colt.

2)     Toast of New York– The only 3-year-old besides Shared Belief, Jamie Osborne’s entry has just six career starts and three career wins. This son of Thewayyouare ran his first graded stakes race last month in the 1¼ mile Belmont Derby (G1), and placed 6th, 5¼ lengths behind the winner. With experience on synthetic and turf, and the added benefit of having run in top company — ran against Secretariat Stakes winner, Adelaide, in Belmont Derby — Sunday looks to be a good race for the colt to get his hoofs wet and splash around with the big boys. Two time Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, Victor Espinoza will guide this west coast first-timer.

3)     Imperative– George Papaprodromou’s 20-1 long-shot is by the great Bernardini. Though the gelding has come close to winning several times, he seems to lack what every great race horse must have — heart. He started off well in last month’s San Diego Handicap (G2), then gave up and dropped back to finish eighth and second to last. On June 28th, he did the exact opposite in the Gold Cup (G1) by trailing during the first half and then showing some decent tactical speed that resulted in a third place effort. Though he beat Game On Dude and this year’s Whitney Stakes winner, Moreno, his past performances are not very reassuring and his running style has been flip-flopping around a lot. Kent Desormeaux has ridden the 4-year-old in his last five starts and is back aboard for KM Racing Enterprise, Inc.

The Maiden’s Ten Dollar Crusade

$0.50 Trifecta  →  #5, 7, 11/ 7, 9, 10, 11/ 2, 5, 6, 7

$1.00 Superfecta →  #11 – 7 – 5 – 10

Follow The Maiden on Twitter --> @Claudia_WMS


Through the Eyes of the Mad Capper

The King:

1)     Shared Belief- This prodigy of Candy Ride was the early favorite to win the 2014 Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, Shared Belief fell victim to injury at the start of the year and would not return to racing until the latter part of May. His comeback race came against Allowance level competition at Golden Gate Fields. The result was a resounding victory. He followed this performance up by making a mockery of a talented field in the Los Alamitos Derby. Shared Belief has five wins from five starts and no challenger has come even close. Jockey Mike Smith has accepted the mount and his trainer is unquestionably one of the finest on either coast. All hail the King!

The Nobles:

1)     Game On Dude- The defending champion has carved some of his greatest moments into synthetic surfaces, yet he has just one win from six starts since his victory in last year’s Pacific Classic. Bob Baffert’s prized gelding has been a fan favorite for many years, earning more than six-million dollars and amassing a record that is beyond Hall of Fame worthy. The “Dude” lands on our list of nobles, but the truth of the matter is that he may very well be spiraling down towards knighthood.  

2)     Majestic Harbor- This offspring of Rockport Harbor has shown a great affinity for the dirt, while his synthetic efforts have not been overwhelming. His sharpness as of late is too difficult to overlook, though, as he most recently defeated three of the other entries in the Gold Cup Stakes at Santa Anita. Tyler Baze retains the mount for Sean McCarthy and recent success leads us to believe that his stalking style could be effective against a group with a considerable amount of speed.

3)     Mystery Train- Darrell Vienna seems to hold the wild card with his Argentinian born import. His work over the track thus far has not been jaw-dropping, but those who have seen his race footage surely have been impressed. This fleet-footed ridgling is a son of Not For Sale out of the mare American Whisper. He seems to run from on or off the pace and gets undervalued rider Fernando Perez in the saddle.

The Knights:

1)     Clubhouse Ride- Clubhouse Ride loves to hit the board, just not generally in the top spot. Craig Lewis has trained this son of Candy Ride for all thirty-nine career starts. Most recently, he finished second to Majestic Harbor in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita, but his prior start did result in victory in the Californian Stakes. The seven-year-old warrior always gives his best and his slightly off the pace approach could help him reach a minor award in this one.

2)     Toast Of New York- After securing a Group 2 win at Meydan Racecourse in March, Toast Of New York crossed the Atlantic to take part in the Belmont Invitational Derby. He broke poorly and never really threatened, despite being heavily backed by bettors at the window. Trainer Jamie Osborne has bid Jamie Spencer adieu and now calls upon Victor Espinoza to right the wrongs that occurred in New York. The talent is clearly there and switching back from the grass might prove beneficial.

The Peasants:

1)     Ice Cream Truck- A.C. Avila may not be in his right state of mind entering this gelding that took fourteen attempts to break his maiden. The son of Pleasantly Perfect ran third to Irish Surf in the Grade 3 Cougar Stakes, and more than any other entry, he epitomizes the Peasant in this year’s Pacific. Tiago Pereira will ride.

2)     Imperative- Not even the great Kent Desormeaux will be able to resurrect the career of a horse that has been touched by the hand of mediocrity. His last outing in the San Diego Handicap left much to be desired. Imperative is a son of Bernardini and is trained by George Papaprodromou.

3)    Irish Surf- After winning the Grade 3 Cougar Stakes on this course, chances are he will be treated kindly by the public. He does land a hot jockey in Elvis Trujillo and his ability to stalk might have some believing he has a genuine chance. The fact is that this son of Giant’s Causeway faced a weak field and has never been able to piece together good outings in succession.

4)    You Know I Know- You Know and I Know that John Sadler is taking a shot in the dark with this son of Simon Pure. He did finish a respectable third in the San Diego Handicap, but he was also the beneficiary of a trouble free trip. Edwin Maldonado returns to the saddle, but quite frankly, the gelding is far from good enough here.

The Mad Capper’s Ten Dollar Crusade

$1.00 Trifecta: 11/7,9,10/5,7,9,10

$1.00 Exacta: 11/7


Follow The Mad Capper on Twitter --> @Matticapper