$1,000,000 Pacific Classic (G1) Del Mar

Race 10 (Saturday, August 18, 2018: 9:43 pm./ET; 6:43 p.m./PT)

Mile and a quarter on the main track (three-year-olds and upward)

The Pacific Classic (G1) is the signature race of the boutique summer meet at Del Mar. This year, eight contenders look to add to the list of previous Pacific Classic winners, which includes superstar names like BEHOLDER, BEST PAL, BERTRANDO, CANDY RIDE, LAVA MAN, PLEASANTLY PERFECT and SHARED BELIEF. Let’s analyze the group assembled for this year’s rendition:

#1 THE LIEUTENANT is a half-brother to 2018 Triple Crown winner JUSTIFY. Last time out, this colt ran second at big odds (34/1) to next out Whitney (G1) winner DIVERSIFY in the Suburban (G2), going this ten panel distance. His last win came two starts back when defeating a field of 10 in the All American (G3) on Tapeta at Golden Gate. Clearly he can get this mile-and-a-quarter distance and he should get a good ground saving trip. A contender for an exotics placing.

#2 DR. DORR also ran in the Suburban (G2) but finished a distant ninth behind #1 THE LIEUTENANT and DIVERSIFY. He wheeled back in just two weeks after that poor effort and rebounded to run second over this track to rising star CATALINA CRUISER, who may show up next in the Woodward (G1) at Saratoga in early September. ‘DORR finished second, beaten over four lengths by Pac Classic favorite #5 ACCELERATE in the Gold Cup (G1) at Santa Anita earlier this year.

#3 PRIME ATTRACTION makes his second start off a four month vacation. In his first race off the layoff, the James Cassidy trainee ran third in the Eddie Read (G2) on turf behind CATAPAULT and multiple Grade 2 winner SHARP SAMURAI. His last win came over this track in the Native Diver (G3) last fall, but keep in mind he was well beaten by #5 ACCELERATE in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) two starts back. All signs indicate he’ll need to pick up the pace to win this one.

#4 ROMAN ROSSO (ARG) is the ‘wise guy’ horse who is a recent addition to the Bob Baffert barn. This guy has won a trio of Group 1’s in Argentina, where he was bred and raced for the first eight starts of his career. His last race came in March when winning the Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1). It’s hard to translate his South American form to see where he fits with the North Americans, but Del Mar’s leading rider Flavien Prat takes the mount.

#5 ACCELERATE looks to sweep the three big older stakes races this year on the West Coast: the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1), and the Pacific Classic (G1). In the first two legs of the aforementioned triple race series, this John Sadler trainee easily defeated the competition, which is similar to what he finds today. He has been working swiftly over this track in preparation for this race and is projected to get a good stalking trip. Will be tough to beat.

#6 BEACH VIEW cuts back a quarter mile after a sharp looking win over old pro and multiple Grade I winner HOPPERTUNITY in the Cougar II (G3) over this track last month. Clearly this guy will be super fit with the cutback in distance and he has been steadily improving with distance and racing experience. Longshot to consider.

#7 PAVEL has always been a solid horse with plenty of raw talent. The son of CREATIVE CAUSE comes off his biggest win yet, defeating solid company in the Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs on June 16. That said, the best horse he faces here, #5 ACCELERATE, beat this colt by almost 10 lengths in the Gold Cup (G1) at Santa Anita earlier this spring. He may have gotten a confidence boost in his most recent race, but he’ll still need to run faster than he has been to defeat his aforementioned rival.

#8 TWO THIRTY FIVE showed speed and faded to run fourth of five in the San Diego (G2) behind CATALINA CRUISER and #2 DR. DORR. He’ll be traveling a furlong and a half longer this time and at a distance at which he has never run before. Siding with others.

SELECTIONS

1. #5 ACCELERATE – Multiple Grade I winner looks strong.
2. #7 PAVEL – Sharp win in the Stephen Foster (G1).
3. #1 THE LIEUTENANT – Half bro to Justify.

LONGSHOT VALUE PLAY- #6 BEACH VIEW – Cuts back in distance off big win.

WAGERING STRATEGY

I’ll key my top pick over my other two selections in an aggressive exacta play.

BANKROLL PLAY ($50 Budget)

$25 Exactas: #5 ACCELETATE over #1 THE LIEUTENANT and #7 PAVEL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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