Catch a Flight works seven furlongs toward Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – Catch a Flight has won three graded stakes in Southern California since early May, the most recent being the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 25.

Despite those accomplishments, Catch a Flight might not be favored in the track’s richest race, the $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles Aug. 22. Catch a Flight might not even rank as the best chance for trainer Richard Mandella, a role that will go to Beholder, the 5-year-old mare and two-time champion.

“I like them both equally,” Mandella said Wednesday.

The thought was not very old when Mandella changed his mind.

“Maybe I favor the mare a little bit,” he said.

Catch a Flight worked seven furlongs in 1:25.60 on Wednesday. In the Pacific Classic, he will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Gary Stevens rode Catch a Flight in the San Diego but will ride Beholder in the Pacific Classic.

Catch a Flight has won two Grade 2 races and a Grade 3 this year, but he has yet to win a Grade 1. He was third in two Grade 1 races at 1 1/4 miles earlier this year – the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap in March and the $501,500 Gold Cup at Santa Anita in June.

Catch a Flight has experience at the Pacific Classic distance. Beholder never has run that far.

“He’s a good horse, and you can’t count him out,” Mandella said. “She’s never run with colts.”

Hoppertunity, second in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita and fourth in the San Diego, worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Wednesday. Trainer Bob Baffert had Hoppertunity begin the work in the stretch and work to the middle of the backstretch.