08/09/2012 4:43PM

Del Mar: Acclamation puts in sharp workout

By Jay Privman
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Shigeki Kikkawa
Acclamation is being pointed to a defense of his title in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic.

Acclamation, the defending champion in the Pacific Classic, turned in another sharp workout Thursday morning at Del Mar, when he went six furlongs on turf in 1:11.20, around orange cones, known as dogs.

Bud Johnston, who bred Acclamation and owns him in a partnership, reiterated that the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 26 at 1 1/4 miles on Polytrack remains his first choice, but he is keeping the Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf on Aug. 25 as a backup plan.

“My concern is the Polytrack when it gets real warm, and it’s been warm here lately,” Johnston said. “I hope the heat breaks. So far, they’ve done a real good job watering the track. The only way you can keep the wax from breaking down is watering. They’re doing it overnight, which is smart, because the water percolates rather than evaporates.”

As for the workout Thursday, Johnston called it “terrific.”

“Eleven and change around there, that’s insane,” he said. “He’s sure good right now.”

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Acclamation, last year’s Eclipse Award-winning older horse, has won seven straight races, five of which were Grade 1. He’s 2 for 2 this year.

“I think he’s got a shot at Horse of the Year, if all goes well,” Johnston said.

Also working Thursday for Johnston and trainer Don Warren was Norvsky, winner of the California Dreamin’ Handicap on July 22. He was timed in 1:15 for six furlongs on turf. Johnston said he could make his next start in the Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Mile on turf Aug. 26.

mikey More than 1 year ago
Del MAR has some of the worst racing of any major track.SARATOGA IS THE MAJOR LEAGUE'S AND del mar AA. On a day to day the 4- 5 and 6 horse field's is GOLDEN GATE with movie star's.
IRON More than 1 year ago
Your wrong mikey,for the last few years Del Mar has had some very good racing in terms of quality and value for the bettor...which is one of the main reasons for the high attendance and which also allowes the track to offer higher purses to the horseman.The whole industry has been suffering.The days of the six and eight hundred thousand dollar pic six carryovers are done..stick a fork in em done.We all know SARATOGA is the HOLY GRAIL of racing at this time of year,jeez,but for Del Mar being such a small track it more than holds its own with any other top tier track.Right now its no.1 one on the west coast...of late thats not saying much.This meet they have been hit hard,not in the claming ranks but the allowance races,non winners of 2 or 3 races especially.Get rid of the poly tracks,bring back the deep lush turf,stop the year round racing,bring back harness racing..yes harness..it works for medowlands.DM,HP,and SA need to work with and not against each other...too many racing dates and not enough horses to go around.
mikey More than 1 year ago
Race trck's just want to put other track's out of business.DEL MAR has large crowd's but how much do they bet per head.TVG and the idot's that work for them has turned racing into the GONG SHOW.MATT BELONG'S IN A LUNNY BIN TOD THINK'S HE IS HENNY YOUNGMAN.SIMON MUST HAVE BEEN SOME TRAINER TO GIVE UP THAT FOR THIS.DE LUCA IS JUST LOOKING FOR GIRL'S AS HE DID IN MLB.SARGE,RICH AND MR B ARE NOTHING TO THE HRTV CREW.
IRON More than 1 year ago
Yeah it is a cutthroat industry,but like it or not their gona have to get together to survive.As far as bets per head,not sure at DM but at HP they dont break 3000 in weekday att. but they drop a hell of a penny in bets per head,recession my ass,where do they get all that cash?Does anybody like the TVG crew? lmao.Mikey your descriptions are funny,but go to their website,man the comments are outright evil..well evil is being kind,lol.Face it,you get what you pay for.Most people in the industry aren't made for tv anyway.The bedakers are very good.They used to have their own show,i know the father passed,but both the brothers are still around.They had a shake up at TVG fired most of the on screen talent,but no one noticed...lol
chad mc rory More than 1 year ago
Insane is right. Who was aboard the horse?