T-minus 20-days and counting to the 33rd running of the $1-million FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic (G1) Sept. 2 at Del Mar, and it's beginning to look like a possible rematch between two talented 3-year olds.
Geaux Rocket Ride and Arabian Knight locked horns in the TVG.com Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park last month. It was a coming out party of sorts for Geaux Rocket Ride, who put away Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage in midstretch and stormed home much the best that day. Arabian Knight faded to third after leading down the backstretch and around the far turn. Nearing the home turn, Mage and Geaux Rocket Ride came calling.
Geaux Rocket Ride's trainer, Richard Mandella, mentioned at the time the Pacific Classic was a possible next spot for the son of Candy Ride, but once he got back to Del Mar with him, he began considering the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes as an option instead. The Pacific Classic would be against older horses, the Shared Belief is restricted to 3-year-olds so it would allow 'Rocket' to stay with his own age group. In the end, Mandella went back to his initial intention to run in the Pacific Classic.
“We're a little heavier on the million dollars,” Mandella said. “I have my price, you know.”
Geaux Rocket Ride worked five furlongs Friday at Del Mar in 1:01.40.
Bob Baffert's Arabian Knight, a son of Uncle Mo, was coming back from a five-month layoff in the Haskell and may have needed the race. He was the favorite in the Haskell off of his scintillating win in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn in January.
Arabian Knight has worked twice since returning to the West Coast. His most recent was Friday, a seven-furlong move in 1:24.40.
Baffert is also pointing Defunded to the Pacific Classic. He finished fourth in the G2 San Diego (G2) last month, but prior to that Defunded won the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) and the Californian (G2). The son of Dialed In has been a staunch competitor in the handicap division all year.
Defunded worked four furlongs Monday in :49.20.
Stilleto Boy is another horse being considered for this year's Pacific Classic. Trainer Ed Moger Jr.'s Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner worked five furlongs Saturday at Del Mar and stopped the clock at :59.40, the fourth best time at the distance.
Rattle N Roll is on the list of possibles for the Pacific Classic. He's been running back east where he's developed into a top-class racehorse. The son of Connect won three consecutive Grade 3 races at Keeneland, Pimlico, and Churchill Downs before coming up short and finishing second to West Will Power in the Stephen Foster (g1) at Ellis Park last time out.
Trainer Kenny McPeek is also considering the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) for Rattle N Roll, run on the same day as the Pacific Classic. He worked four furlongs in :50.55 at Saratoga Saturday.
Trainer Bob Hess Jr. has nominated Order and Law to the Pacific Classic. The winner of the Cougar II (G3) at Del Mar last month was running in claiming races just four months ago. But he ran second in an allowance race at Presque Isle Downs in June and then came out to Del Mar and won the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II, giving Hess the confidence to take a shot.
Order and Law put in his first work since his victory in the Cougar II, going four furlongs in :50.20 at Del Mar on Tuesday.
Finally, trainer Doug O'Neill is considering two for the Pacific Classic. Slow Down Andy finished second to Senor Buscador in the San Diego (G2) and O'Neill believes the son of Nyquist belongs.
His other hopeful, Katonah, has developed an issue that may prevent him from running. When last seen, Katonah was winning the Pleasanton Mile.
“He's battling a bruised foot,” O'Neill said. “So we have to play it by ear.”
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