GI Pacific Classic | Horse Racing Free Tips

Del Mar Gears Up for 85th Summer Racing Season

On the back of a 2023 racing calendar which saw no racing fatalities, the 2024 summer season at Del Mar will feature among the nation's highest prize money as well as a 'robust' lineup of trackside events, the club announced Monday.

Marking a historic shift, opening day will be held on a Saturday–July 20–for the first time since the 1950s due to a scheduling adjustment with the San Diego County Fair running through July 7. Tickets for opening weekend and the summer racing season will go on sale Friday, May 10 at 10:00am. General admission will be limited and tickets are anticipated to sell out.

Del Mar will run their summer season through Sunday, Sept. 8 and the marquee contest, the GI FanDuel Pacific Classic–a Win and You're In for the Classic which will be contest over the same oval, will go Saturday, Aug. 31.

For tickets and information on the special events for the 2024 summer season, please visit their website.

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Classic Contenders Arabian Knight, White Abarrio Headline Breeders’ Cup Works

It was a tale of two Breeders' Cup preps Monday morning at Santa Anita for Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) and White Abarrio (Race Day), the former putting in an eye-catching six furlong work in 1:11.54 and then galloping out a mile in 1:37.57 without any pressing encouragement, as reported by the DRF in the Breeders' Cup Clocker Report, and the latter having it tentatively postponed until Wednesday. When asked for a reason, conditioner Rick Dutrow only said: “We weren't able to work [White Abarrio] this morning. Hopefully we'll get to gallop him tomorrow [horses are not permitted to work at Santa Anita on Tuesdays] and work him Wednesday.”

Bob Baffert was thrilled with the work from the GI Pacific Classic winner–who many believe will ultimately be the post-time favorite in the Classic–and likes the changes he's seeing: “I was really happy with the work and the way he has been progressing since the Haskell, which was kind of a disaster all around. He just seems to be progressing and continuing to get better with maturity. We've still got another couple of weeks to go, but I couldn't be any happier with the way he's coming into the race at the moment.”

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Pacific Classic’s Potential Field Grows To 10

The list of potential runners for Del Mar's 33rd running of the G1 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic Sept. 2 has grown to 10, so far.

Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) won last month's GII San Diego H., the local prep for the Pacific Classic. Todd Fincher is not afraid to put the 5-year-old homebred owned by Joey Peacock in after he rewarded the New Mexico-based trainer with the second Grade II stakes win of his career. Senor Buscador worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 (6/38) at Del Mar Thursday morning.

“It's a Grade I and that's kind of important for a stallion prospect,” said Fincher. “With the right circumstances, he can definitely run with them.”

Another potential starter is Tripoli (Kitten's Joy), winner of the Pacific Classic in 2021. The nearly $1-million earner is looking to get back on track after finishing fifth for trainer John Sadler in the San Diego H.

Skinner (Curlin) is the third 3-year-old to jump on board for the Classic. The John Shirreffs trainee was last seen running second in the Los Alamitos Derby July 8 after finishing third in the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby back in April. The bay colt's most recent work came last Saturday when he went seven furlongs in 1:26.40 at Del Mar (1/2).

“We have another work to go,” Shirreffs says. “Then we'll decide if we're going to go.”

One other addition is Call Me Fast (Dialed In) from the Michael Puhich barn. The dark bay gelding joins Defunded (Dialed In), Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo), Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), Order and Law (Violence), Slow Down Andy (Nyquist) and Stilleto Boy (Shackleford), who are already potential starters.

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Pacific Classic Field Takes Shape

Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo), first and third in last month's GI Haskell S. at Monmouth, appear likely for a rematch in the Sept. 2 G1 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic.

Following his Haskell victory, trainer Richard Mandella indicated the Pacific Classic was possible for the Pin Oak Stud runner, however, upon returning to Del Mar, the Hall of Famer began considering the $125,000 Shared Belief S. instead. Facing older horses in the Classic, the sophomore would run against his own division in the Shared Belief.

In the end, Mandella went back to his initial intention to run in the Classic.

“We're a little heavier on the million dollars,” Mandella said. “I have my price, you know.”

Geaux Rocket Ride worked five-furlongs in 1:01.40 (21/45) at Del Mar Friday.

Returning off a five-month respite, Zedan Racing's Arabian Knight faded to third in the Haskell after contesting a hot pace. The $2.3 million OBS Spring Sale grad was favored in the Haskell following an impressive win in the GIII Southwest at Oaklawn in January.

The Bob Baffert trainee has worked twice since returning to the West Coast, the most recent a seven-furlong move in 1:24.40 at Del Mar Friday.

The Hall of Famer is also pointing Defunded (Dialed In) to the Classic. Fourth in the GII San Diego S. last month, he previously won the GI Hollywood Gold Cup and the GII Californian.

Also nominated, Grade III winner Order and Law in addition to a pair from the Doug O'Neill barn–Slow Down Andy (Nyquist)

and SW Katonah, has developed an issue following a victory in the July 8 Pleasanton Mile.

“He's battling a bruised foot,” O'Neill says. “So we have to play it by ear.”

Also listed as possible for next month's Classic, GISW Stilleto Boy (Shackleford) and MGSW Rattle N Roll (Connect), who is also being considered for the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, run on the same day as the Classic.

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