Campaign eyes Pacific Classic after Cougar II victory

DEL MAR, Calif. – Campaign is likely to start in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 17 after winning his second main-track marathon this year in Wednesday’s Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar.

Campaign ($3.40) closed from last in a field of five to catch a stubborn stretch leader in Itsinthepost and win by 1 1/4 lengths, finishing 1 1/2 miles in 2:32.36. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 94.

Campaign, who was ridden by Rafael Bejarano, trailed Itsinthepost by 2 1/2 lengths with a quarter-mile remaining.

“He always likes to come from behind,” Bejarano said. “At six furlongs, I had to put him in the race. I knew they were going slow. I knew [Itsinthepost] would be tough to beat.”

Campaign took the lead in the final sixteenth.

“I had a lot left,” Bejarano said.

Campaign, a 4-year-old colt by Curlin, races for Woodford Racing. Campaign won the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup at 1 1/2 miles on April 12 at Santa Anita. Campaign raced in traffic and finished fourth in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational at 1 1/2 miles on June 8 at Belmont Park.

“He’s such a stayer,” winning trainer John Sadler said after the Cougar II. “I thought he’d wear them down.”

If Campaign starts in the $1 million Pacific Classic, it will be his second appearance in a Grade 1. He finished fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on April 6. The Pacific Classic is run at 1 1/4 miles.

“There’s a strong chance we’ll go in the Pacific Classic,” Sadler said. “Maybe we can get a race with a lot of pace.”

Other candidates for the Pacific Classic are Seeking the Soul, winner of the Grade 2 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 15; Quip, who was second in the Foster; Catalina Cruiser and Mongolian Groom, who were first and second in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap here July 20; Pavel, who was third in the Grade 2 Suburban Stakes on July 6 at Belmont Park; and Gray Magician, runner-up in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby on July 13.