Del Mar notes: Liaison works for Pacific Classic

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DEL MAR, Calif. – One day after stable star Game On Dude worked for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Sunday, trainer Bob Baffert sent out Liaison for his final work for the Pacific Classic in company with Fed Biz, who is set to run Sunday in the Grade 2, $250,000 Pat O’Brien going seven furlongs.

Liaison and Fed Biz looked like synchronized swimmers while crossing the wire in identical times of 1:00 for five furlongs. Martin Garcia, who will ride both horses in their respective races, was aboard Liaison.

“Both horses worked good,” Baffert said. “Everything went smooth today.”

Dullahan, who beat Game On Dude in last year’s Pacific Classic, was on the track Tuesday morning for the first time since his arrival from Kentucky on Monday. He jogged clockwise around the outer rail, giving off the same enthusiasm he seems to have for training wherever he goes.

“That’s the danger in the race right there,” Baffert said as Dullahan went by. “He moves up 10 lengths on this stuff.”

Also out for a light tour of the track and paddock Tuesday was Canadian invader Delegation, who arrived on the same flight as Dullahan.

The field for the Pacific Classic was scheduled to be drawn Wednesday night at a party at a nearby hotel. The Pacific Classic offers a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic through the Win and You’re In program.

O’Brien, Del Mar Mile on undercard

The Pat O’Brien and the Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Mile on turf support the 11-race Pacific Classic card Sunday, and both races have top-class horses expected to compete.

Most notable in the Pat O’Brien is Santa Anita Derby winner Goldencents, who was an unlucky loser of the six-furlong Bing Crosby last month. In addition to Fed Biz, his rivals are expected to include Drill, Longview Drive, Majestic City, Mobilized, and No Silent.

Gary Mandella, who trains Mobilized and No Silent, on Tuesday said No Silent was definite for the race, and he would “take a look” at the field before committing Mobilized.

The Pat O’Brien is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Mandella also will have a runner in the Del Mar Mile in Silentio, but all entrants in that race will be face a heavy favorite in the brilliant grass miler Obviously. Only a handful of runners is expected for the race, with El Commodore, He Be Fire N Ice, and Tigah the challengers.

“I’m trying to have a Chad Brown day, just in a couple of Grade 2’s,” Mandella said, laughing, in reference to Brown’s wins Saturday in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer and Grade 1 Arlington Million.