Rock Your World | Horse Racing Free Tips

Sadler Reveling In Third Pacific Classic Win

TVG Pacific Classic upset winner Tripoli ($15.00) was asleep in his stall at mid-morning. Trainer John Sadler was inclined to leave the 1 ¼-length winner over Tizamagician undisturbed, calling it a “good sign,” while reflecting on what was a third TVG Pacific Classic victory for Sadler and Hronis racing in the last four years.

“I'm in the latter part of my career and when you can win these big races, I feel very blessed,” Sadler said. “I'm not that old, I'm 65, but I've been around a long time and I don't feel like I'm in the middle part of my career, whether there's two, five or 10 years left to go.”

As a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on November 6, Tripoli is now assured a spot in the champion-making race Sadler and Hronis won in 2018 with Accelerate.

Campaign planning for Tripoli going forward will be put on hold at least temporarily.

“We'll see how Rock Your World runs next Sunday ($100,000 Shared Belief Stakes), they might be candidates for the same race,” Sadler said. “(Tripoli) could run once (before the Classic) or… whatever.”

For the stable of Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, the momentum of victories by Forbidden Kingdom (4^th race, $10.60) and Subconscious (5^th, $13.60) didn't carry over to the stakes. Tizamagician led for the first mile of the 1 ¼-mile Classic before yielding to Tripoli and his Royal Ship, the second wagering choice at just under 3-1, was a no-factor seventh.

“A pretty good day, you're never going to complain if you win two races on the day,” said Gary Mandella, deputizing for his father. “We had a really good second in the Classic with Tizamagician, but Royal Ship is a bit of a mystery. We don't know what went on with him except maybe the year has been a little bit tiring on him. We'll listen to him and figure him out. He'll tell us what to do.”

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Baffert Considers Next Start For Medina Spirit, Gamine, Classier Work

The rumors on the backstretch were too persistent to ignore. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, they said, was going to run Kentucky Derby winner (pending rulings and litigation) Medina Spirit in the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes, a one-mile main track event for 3-year-olds here on August 29.

“There have been rumors about that horse since May 1,” Baffert said with a laugh this morning. “There has been a lot of talk about that horse.

“He's going to breeze this week and I'll know more after that. I go work-by-work with him. I'm looking at the Pennsylvania Derby, maybe as an option. (The question becomes) Do I give him a race here? I'm going to let him tell me, the horse will let me know.”

Medina Spirit was not among the 14 nominated for the Shared Belief by Thursday night's deadline. Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World notably was, and trainer John Sadler said that will be the next assignment for the son of Candy Ride. Supplemental entries, at a cost of $1,000, can be made up to closing time of entries next Friday morning.

The $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, a 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-olds, is set for September 25 at Parx, formerly Philadelphia Park, in Bensalem, Penn.

Classier, another of Baffert's talented 3-year-olds, worked six furlongs in a bullet 1:11.00 this morning and will run here in either the Shared Belief or next Saturday's $200,000 Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes, a seven-furlong extended sprint for 3-year-olds and up.

Yet another Baffert standout, Gamine, worked six furlongs in 1:12.00 with an eye toward next week's Ballerina at Saratoga and Baffert's As Time Goes By, a winner of two stakes at the Santa Anita meeting, covered five furlongs in a bullet :58.80.

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Sadler Pondering Pacific Classic, Del Mar Derby For Rock Your World

Rock Your World went through a regularly scheduled workout – the fifth straight such Sunday exercise session since arriving at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. – this morning. But whether it was a final one before running in next Saturday's $1 million Grade 1 TVG Pacific Classic or another step toward the $250,000 Grade 2 Del Mar Derby on September 4, remains to be determined.

The 3-year-old son of Candy Ride went six furlongs out of the gate in 1:12.60 under jockey Umberto Rispoli. Clocker/handicapper Toby Turrell had interim splits of :36.40 and 1:00.60.

“It went very well, we were all happy with it,” said Juan Leyva, assistant to trainer John Sadler. “At this point, it (next race) is still undecided. I'm sure John will come back tomorrow, make sure everything is all right with the horse and probably decide then.”

The deadline for nominations to the signature event of the Del Mar summer season was last Thursday at midnight and 15 names were filed. Supplemental entries can still be submitted, at a cost of $7,500, until 10 a.m. Tuesday. With the field set then, post positions will be drawn at a gathering that afternoon at The Brigantine restaurant adjacent to the track.

Hronis Racing's Rock Your World, who has earned $591,600 with three wins from five career starts, had put together the following string of Sunday workouts before this morning: 4 furlongs in :50.40 on turf, July 18; 5 furlongs in 1:01 on turf July 25; 6 furlongs in 1:13.20 on turf August 1; and, 5 furlongs in 1:00.20 one week ago.

Prior to the July 16 start of the meeting, Sadler had said the Del Mar Derby was the major target for Rock Your World. He was a surprise nominee to the TVG Pacific Classic.

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Rock Your World Among Nominees To Pacific Classic

The nomination deadline passed at midnight on Thursday for the five major stakes a week from Saturday at Del Mar. And when the racing office had finished sorting them out this morning, there were 15 horses on the list for the summer season's signature Grade 1, $1 million TVG Pacific Classic.

Most were expected. But one not-exactly-expected name figures to generate interest and speculation leading up to next Tuesday's close of entries and post position draw. That would be Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World, trained by John Sadler for Hronis Racing, the connections who notched back-to-back TVG Pacific Classic wins with Accelerate in 2018 and Higher Power in 2019.

Sadler has indicated since the start of the meeting that Rock Your World, a 3-year-old son of Candy Ride, was being targeted for the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Derby Presented by Caesars Sporsbook on Sept. 4, in what would be a return to turf after three starts on dirt – a victory in the Santa Anita Derby followed by Triple Crown event disappointments in the Kentucky Derby (17th) and Belmont Stakes (6th).

The Pacific Classic has been won by 3-year-olds over older horses five times. Best Pal's victory in the inaugural running in 1991 was followed by General Challenge (1999), Came Home (2002), Dullahan (2012) and Shared Belief (2014). Under race conditions, 3-year-olds carry 118 pounds while older horses tote 124.

Sadler did not immediately respond to a text inquiry regarding Rock Your World but had, earlier in the morning, confirmed another TVG Pacific Class entrant from the stable.

San Diego Handicap runner-up Tripoli went six furlongs in 1:12.80 this morning under exercise rider Cerapio Figueroa to Sadler's satisfaction in a final tune-up for the event.

Sadler said he had the son of Kitten's Joy, a $450,000 purchase at the Keeneland September sale in 2018 for Hronis Racing, galloping out to seven furlongs in 1:24.80.

“I was pleased with it, he's set for the Classic,” Sadler said. Tiago Pereira, aboard for the 4-year-old colt's last three starts since May, retains the mount.

Tripoli has three wins in 13 career starts and earnings of $211,960. The second-place result in the Grade II, $250,000 San Diego Handicap on July 17, beaten a half-length by Express Train, came in his stakes debut.

Other Pacific Classic nominees, with trainer's name in parentheses are: Chess Chief (Dallas Stewart); Cupid's Claws (Craig Dollase); Dr Post (Todd Pletcher); Express Train (John Shirreffs); Ginobili (Richard Baltas); Independence Hall (Michael McCarthy); Magic On Tap (Bob Baffert); Midcourt (John Shirreffs); Mo Mosa (Mike Maker); Royal Ship (Richard Mandella); Sherriff Brown (Todd Fincher); The Great One (Doug O'Neill), and Tizamagician ( Mandella).

Trainer Pletcher, from his Saratoga headquarters, indicated he's considering the coast-to-coast ship for Dr Post seriously.

“We're going to breeze him Saturday and if we're pleased with that, he's a go,” Pletcher said.

The 31st running of the TVG Pacific Classic is for 3-year-olds and up at the classic distance of a mile and one quarter. It is designated as a “Win and You're In” Challenge Race giving its winner a guaranteed all-fees-paid admission to the $6-million Breeders' Cup Classic, which will be run at Del Mar on Saturday, November 6.

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