Clubhouse Ride gets his shot at Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – At the age of 6, and well established in California’s handicap division, Clubhouse Ride will start in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar for the first time on Aug. 24.

In the last few years, despite his rise in prominence in the local handicap division, Clubhouse Ride has missed Del Mar’s top race for different reasons. In 2012, he was returning from a summertime layoff when the race was run. Last year, his form tailed off through the summer, and trainer Craig Lewis opted for the Harry Brubaker Stakes days after the Pacific Classic. Clubhouse Ride finished fifth.

This year, Clubhouse Ride is having a better season for owners Nikolas Petralia and Six-S Racing Stable. Clubhouse Ride won the Grade 2 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita on May 31 for the second consecutive year and was second to Majestic Harbor in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 28.

Those races have given Lewis confidence that Clubhouse Ride can be competitive in the Pacific Classic, which is run over 1 1/4 miles.

“He’s as good as hands can make him,” Lewis said. “Now it’s up to him.”

Saturday, Clubhouse Ride had his final workout for the Pacific Classic, going seven furlongs in 1:24.20.

“He went very smoothly,” Lewis said.

Joe Talamo, who has ridden Clubhouse Ride in his last two races, has the mount in the Pacific Classic, which is expected to have a field of 12. The top contenders are Majestic Harbor; Shared Belief, the undefeated champion 2-year-old male of 2013; and Game On Dude, who won the 2013 Pacific Classic but was fourth in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

Clubhouse Ride was beaten 6 1/4 lengths by Majestic Harbor in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

“It was kind of bittersweet,” Lewis said. “You want to win but I’m happy that he ran so well.”