Pacific Classic

It's about to be uber-busy season at Keeneland. The fall meet begins Oct. 4. But first there is the annual extravaganza that is the Keeneland September sale. That begins Sept. 9 and more than 4,000 horses are in the catalogue. The sale and the upcoming racing meet were among the topics of discussion when Keeneland CEO and President Shannon Arvin joined the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. Arvin is expecting that this will be a strong sale. "The economic indicators so far are really good," she said. "We,...

It wouldn't rise to the level of a horse like Dare and Go stunning history-seeking Cigar in the 1996 renewal, but it was a surprise of similar magnitude in Saturday's GI FanDuel Pacific Classic, as Calumet Farm's Mixto (Good Magic) plugged on late and grabbed an exceptionally game Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) to earn a fees-paid berth into the field for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at odds of 22-1 some may have considered underlaid. Mixto, who owned just a maiden victory from 13 starts prior to Saturday, was...

It doesn't take long for the Kentucky Downs meeting to hit full gear, as Saturday's program features three graded contests, including the GIII DK Horse Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes, with prize money that could reach $3.1 million. The purse remains intact should one of the 10 Kentucky-breds--eight in the main body of the field and two also-eligibles--is home first over the mile and five-sixteenths journey along the Kentucky/Tennessee border. The four foreign raiders are ineligible for the KTDF money, but the base purse of $2.5 million already makes it one...

Adare Manor (Uncle Mo), a winner of her last three races--two of them Grade Is--has been entered in the Pacific Classic, said her trainer Bob Baffert. The five-year-old mare has run four times this year, finishing second in the GI Beholder Mile at Santa Anita March 9 before taking the GI Apple Blossom, GI Santa Margarita, and GI Clement L. Hirsch, has won 10 of 18 starts, three Grade Is, and over $2 million. She came from off the pace to win the Clement Hirsch, and Baffert said that the...

Runners gearing up towards the GI FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic worked over the weekend with three weeks to the big race. Last year's winner, 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) may not return to defend his title after finishing fourth in the GII San Diego per trainer Bob Baffert. "He's doing fine," Baffert said. "But I don't know what I'm going to run in the Pacific Classic." Meanwhile Subsanador (Fortify), one of two Argentine-breds thought to be headed to the Pacific Classic, will instead run in the GIII Iselin...

The Chosen Vron (Vronsky) exited his win in Saturday's GI Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar in fine shape and trainer Eric Kruljac is already thinking of options to get the classy Cal-bred to the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. "He's doing super," Kruljac said Sunday morning. "He wasn't tired and cleaned up his feed. He looks like a million bucks." The Chosen Vron won his sixth straight race while successfully defending his Bing Crosby title. The race awarded the 6-year-old gelding an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Last...

MGSW/GISP Tizamagician (Tiznow) was represented by his first foal, a filly, born Feb. 26 at Milky Way Farm in California. Out of the winning mare Esfera (Orb), the foal was bred by Starlene and David Justice's Vendetta Racing Stables. Tizamagician, winner of the GII Cougar S. and the GII Tokyo City Cup S. in California and runner up to Tripoli (Kitten's Joy) in the GI TVG Pacific Classic, retired to stud last year at Milky Way Farm with earnings of over $740,000.

Del Mar marked eight weeks of increased field sizes and high-quality racing that ended Sunday. "Overall, just a tremendous summer of quality racing," Racing Secretary David Jerkens says. "Especially Pacific Classic Day. You look back and see how strong of a card that was. I think some of the winners and horses that ran well on that card have bright futures for the Breeders' Cup." The talk around the racing industry is the field sizes again this year at Del Mar. "It was a robust number that I think any...

Three conditioners divided-up the five graded stakes races on Pacific Classic Day. Bob Baffert and Phil D'Amato won two each and Doug O'Neill grabbed the other one. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the three winning trainers top the trainer standings at Del Mar heading into Sunday's racing. Bob Baffert was in the grandstand Sunday morning watching some of his horses work. Back at the barn, his Pacific Classic winner, Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) was resting-up from his race; Baffert indicating the 'TDN Rising Star' came out...

A trio of highly regarded sophomores will take on their elders in a fantastic renewal of Saturday's GI FanDuel Pacific Classic S. at Del Mar, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The 5-2 morning-line favorite Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) leads the way for the 3-year-olds after defeating GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) by 1 3/4 lengths in Monmouth Park's GI TVG.com Haskell S. July 22. He will look to follow in the hoofprints of his leading sire Candy Ride, who won...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for Pacific Classic Day Saturday, Sept. 2. They will be honored with a named race on the card and, following the running of the race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a TAA-branded blanket sponsored by Fenwick Equestrian and a TAA swag bag. "We are thrilled to partner with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and enhance the Pacific Classic Day experience for our guests," said Josh Rubinstein, President, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. "By merging the thrill...

Trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed Lucky Seven Stable's Smile Happy (Runhappy) for next Saturday's GI Whitney S. at Saratoga Race Course, but his stablemate for the same owner, Rattle N Roll (Connect), will take his show on the road. Both horses last raced in the GI Stephen Foster S. July 1 at Ellis Park. McPeek said Rattle N Roll will target either the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga or the GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Both races are run at 10 furlongs September 2 and are "Win and...