Class Leader targets Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – In January, Hard Aces joined trainer John Sadler’s California stable with the goal of starting in the major stakes on the circuit for older horses. The acquisition proved to be successful when Hard Aces won the $500,000 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 27.

Sadler recently added another runner for the older horse division to his stable in Class Leader, the winner of the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico in 2014. Class Leader is scheduled to make his California debut in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 22.

Previously trained by Neil Howard, Class Leader is owned by Lane’s End Racing. A 4-year-old colt by Smart Strike, Class Leader has won 3 of 13 starts and earned $173,389.

On Saturday, Class Leader had his first workout in California, going five furlongs in 1:00.40. The Pacific Classic will be his first start at 1 1/4 miles.
“He wants to run that far,” Sadler said. “He seems like he handles the track fine.”

In the Pacific Classic, Sadler also will start Hard Aces, who has not raced since the Gold Cup at Santa Anita. Hard Aces is owned by Kosta and Pete Hronis.

The Pacific Classic field is led by Beholder, the two-time champion who won the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on Aug. 1. The Pacific Classic will be the first start against males for Beholder, who is trained by Richard Mandella.

Other candidates are Catch a Flight, who won the San Diego Handicap on July 25, as well as Bailoutbobby, Bayern, Hoppertunity, and Imperative. Others under consideration are Big John B, Midnight Storm, and Warren’s Veneda, who was third in the Hirsch Stakes.

Trainer Craig Lewis said on Saturday that Warren’s Veneda also is a candidate for the $750,000 Personal Ensign Stakes for fillies and mares at Saratoga on Aug. 29.