Del Mar: Delegation invading from Canada for Pacific Classic

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DEL MAR, Calif. - Delegation, winner of the Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes at Woodbine in track-record time July 1, will run in the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 25, trainer Mark Casse said.

Owned by Southern California resident Gary Barber, Delegation, a 4-year-old gelding by Speightstown, won the Dominion Day by 9 1/4 lengths, leading throughout. He finished 1 1/4 miles on a Polytrack synthetic surface in 2:01.51.

“It was a track record, and he won easy,” Casse said.

The presence of Delegation may affect the pace scenario of the Pacific Classic, which is run over 1 1/4 miles. If Delegation races near the front, he could be joined in that position by top California older horse Game On Dude, who won the Hollywood Gold Cup last month.

“Our horse loves to get out and go,” Casse said.

Game On Dude, unbeaten in four starts this year, including the Santa Anita Handicap in March, worked six furlongs in 1:12.40 on Wednesday, the fastest of eight works at the distance.

Other probable starters for the Pacific Classic are Dullahan, Farraaj, Jeranimo, Kettle Corn, and Richard’s Kid, the winner of the Cougar II Handicap on July 26. Wednesday, Richard’s Kid worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds.

[DEL MAR 2013: Complete meet coverage, schedule, race replays]

Trainer A.C. Avila said that Holding Glory, a Brazilian Group 1 winner earlier this year who was second in his United States debut last weekend, is more likely for the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap on turf on Aug. 24 than the Pacific Classic.