Accelerate, Collected post final works for Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – Accelerate and Collected, two of the leading contenders for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic next Saturday, both turned in their final works for the race on Sunday morning at Del Mar in a style indicating their fondness for this track has not wavered.

Accelerate won the San Diego Handicap last month, the race in which Arrogate suffered a shocking defeat. He is unbeaten at Del Mar in three starts.

“He looks real good. He seems to be where we want him to be,” his trainer, John Sadler, said after Accelerate worked six furlongs in 1:12.40 on Sunday morning.

Sadler said he caught Accelerate going out seven furlongs in 1:25 and one mile 1:40, all significantly good times over a track that has played slow for much of the meet.

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Accelerate worked shortly after 6:30, and only moments before Collected, who was timed in 1:01 for his five-furlong drill under jockey Martin Garcia. Collected has never raced at Del Mar but has trained sensationally here for the past month.

“He’s done really well,” said his trainer, Bob Baffert, who said Garcia would have the mount in the Pacific Classic.

Baffert watched the work from the grandstand. Garcia, reporting to Baffert via radio right after the work, said “I never asked him.”

“He was cruising,” Garcia said.

Baffert also is scheduled to run Arrogate, who will try to rebound off his shockingly dull performance in the San Diego. His final work is scheduled for Monday morning.

Entries for the Pacific Classic are due on Tuesday morning, and posts will be drawn late Tuesday afternoon during a reception at the local restaurant The Brigantine.

As of Sunday, only five were expected – Accelerate, Arrogate, Collected, Curlin Road, and Donworth.

The two-time champion filly Songbird was nominated to the race but was officially taken out of consideration on Sunday. She will go to Saratoga for the Personal Ensign on Aug. 26.

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