Beholder Faces Nine in Pacific Classic

Two-time Eclipse champion Beholder (Henny Hughes) drew post nine and was installed the 5-2 morning-line favorite after a field of 10 was entered Wednesday for Saturday’s GI TVG Pacific Classic S. at Del Mar. The 5-year-old mare will attempt to become the first female to win the Pacific Classic. The best female finish in the Classic came when Paseana was fifth in 1992 and Byrama was most recently seventh in 2013.

“I wasn’t worried about what post position she might draw, I was worried she might not get in because of a male bias,” quipped trainer Richard Mandella.

Beholder carries a four-race win streak into the race, most recently striding home a seven-length winner of the Aug. 1 GI Clement L. Hirsch.

“She’s a sweetheart in the stall, but when she steps on the track she becomes a man,” said jockey Gary Stevens, who has been aboard for Beholder’s last nine starts. “I go along for the ride. She puts me where I want to be, and when I push the button she responds.”

Richard Mandella will also saddle Catch a Flight (Arg) (Giant’s Causeway) in the Pacific Classic. The 5-year-old will break from post seven and was installed the 9-2 second choice on the morning line. He had the services of Hall of Famer Gary Stevens last time out when he scored a dramatic last-gasp victory in the June 25 GII San Diego H., but will be ridden by Flavien Prat in the Classic.

East coast invader Red Vine (Candy Ride {Arg}), who broke his maiden over the Del Mar turf two years ago, arrived at the seaside oval Tuesday evening. A 6-1 shot, the Jon and Sarah Kelly runner is coming off a runner-up effort in the July 5 GIII Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park.

“This is a big step up, but it’s also a good opportunity for him and he deserves this shot,” Lee Vickers, assistant to trainer Christophe Clement, said.

Red Vine made his first start on the dirt last December, reeling off three straight victories, including the May 23 Majestic Light S. at the Oceanport oval. His troubled runner-up effort behind Bradester (Lion Heart) in the Salavator Mile was his first defeat on the main track.

“We were hoping to keep him undefeated on dirt, but he had a bit of trouble and it didn’t work out,” Vickers continued. “The horse that beat him, Bradester, went on to win the [GII] Monmouth Cup on the day that American Pharoah won the Haskell.”