Bayern readies for Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – Although Martin Garcia has been the regular work and race rider for Bayern, it was Rafael Bejarano who was aboard the horse for a seven-furlong work Tuesday morning as Bayern prepares for the Pacific Classic and seeks to find the form that carried him to a Breeders’ Cup Classic victory last fall.

Working alone, Bayern was timed in 1:25.60 by Del Mar’s head clocker, Dane Nelson, who had Bayern clicking off fractions of 24.60 seconds, 36.40, 48.40, 1:00.60, and 1:13.

Bayern, who has lost his last three starts, is trained by Bob Baffert, who also is expected to send out Hoppertunity in the Pacific Classic.

In addition to Bayern, Beholder, Catch a Flight, and Hoppertunity, others expected for the Pacific Classic include Class Leader, Coach Inge, Hard Aces, Imperative, Midnight Storm, Red Vine, and the mare Warren’s Veneda.

Craig Lewis, trainer of Warren’s Veneda, on Tuesday said the Pacific Classic has become more alluring than shipping to Saratoga for the Personal Ensign owing to the expected pace of the Del Mar race. Warren’s Veneda was third behind Beholder in the Hirsch.

“She’ll have some pace to run into,” Lewis said. “And unlike the two times we’ve met Beholder, she won’t have to give her weight this time.”

The Pacific Classic was first run in 1991. No female has ever won the race. Only four have tried. The best finish was a fifth-place effort by Paseana in 1992.