Beholder solidifies Pacific Classic status

DEL MAR, Calif. – The likelihood that Beholder will take on males in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 22 increased Tuesday when she “could not have looked better,” according to trainer Richard Mandella, during a half-mile work in 48.60 seconds at Del Mar.

“Super. Everything’s good,” said Mandella, who also will send out Catch a Flight in the Pacific Classic.

Mandella said Beholder would have one more work early next week and then would be set for the meet’s richest and most-prestigious race.

“One more work, not much,” he said. “She just needs a couple little tune-ups. She’s coming back in three weeks. If she’s not ready now, she’s not going to be.”

Beholder won the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch on Aug. 1 in her last start. That was her seventh Grade 1 win during a career in which she has won 13 times in 18 starts, twice in Breeders’ Cup races, and earned a pair of Eclipse Awards.

But the Pacific Classic would mark her first start against males and at 1 1/4 miles.

Older males in the race carry 124 pounds under the weight-for-age conditions. Because she is a female facing males, Beholder gets a five-pound break, so she would carry 119 pounds.