Beholder sitting on ready for Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – The presence of two-time champion Beholder has made the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday far more interesting than it would be if it instead was a rerun of the same group of older male runners out here, and she appears to be coming into the race in excellent form, based on her final workout Monday at Del Mar.

Beholder merely breezed around the track in 48 seconds for a half-mile, but it was the effortless way she did it under jockey Gary Stevens – mirroring the way she worked leading up to her Breeders’ Cup wins in 2012 and 2013 – that indicates she is ready for the toughest challenge of her career.

Beholder never has faced males, never has run 1 1/4 miles, and is seeking to become the first female to win the Pacific Classic, first run in 1991.

“She couldn’t be doing any better,” trainer Richard Mandella said following her work on Monday. “We’ve tightened the screws. We know it’s a big challenge. We’re testing ourselves here.”

Beholder broke off about four lengths behind a workmate, easily made up the ground, and drew away by about four at the wire, with Stevens sitting motionless.

Stevens and Mandella teamed to win the Pacific Classic in 1997 with Gentlemen. Stevens also won the race in 1993 with Bertrando. Mandella has won the race three times, with Gentlemen, Pleasantly Perfect (2004), and – most famously – in 1996 with Dare and Go, ending Cigar’s 16-race winning streak.

Beholder’s work was the final one of three on Monday among Pacific Classic runners, with Bob Baffert sending out his pair of Bayern and Hoppertunity for more demanding drills. Bayern, working solo with jockey Rafael Bejarano, was given an official time of 1:00 for five furlongs, but he galloped out strongly, with Baffert getting him going out a mile in 1:37.80.

“Big difference there. He’s finally getting fit,” Baffert said.

Bejarano will ride Bayern for the first time in the Pacific Classic, replacing Martin Garcia, who rode Bayern to his biggest victory in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Garcia instead will ride Hoppertunity, whom Garcia was aboard for his work Monday, a five-furlong drill in 59.80 seconds while in company.

“He went good for him,” Baffert said. “He needs pace, which he’ll get.”

Garcia won the 2013 Pacific Classic for Baffert on Game On Dude. Baffert also won the race in 2009 and 2010 with Richard’s Kid.

In addition to Bayern, Beholder, and Hoppertunity, the Pacific Classic field is expected to include Catch a Flight, Class Leader, Hard Aces, Imperative, Midnight Storm, Red Vine, and possibly Bailoutbobby.

In addition to Baffert, Mandella and trainer John Sadler each will have two runners in the race. Mandella also has Catch a Flight, and Sadler will send out Class Leader and Hard Aces.

Catch a Flight was expected to turn in his final work Tuesday or Wednesday, Mandella said. He will be ridden by Flavien Prat.

Red Vine, trained by Christophe Clement, was expected to arrive on the grounds Tuesday following a flight from New York. Joel Rosario has the mount. Rosario won the race in 2012 with Dullahan.

The Pacific Classic will be drawn at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.