Del Mar: Twirling Candy gets fit for Pacific Classic by working a mile

DEL MAR, Calif. – Twirling Candy, expected to be one of the leading choices in next Sunday’s Pacific Classic, worked one mile in 1:37.80 on Sunday morning at Del Mar with jockey Joel Rosario aboard.

Twirling Candy is coming off a close, third-place finish to First Dude, who has subsequently been retired, and Game On Dude in last month’s Hollywood Gold Cup.

On a cool, cloudy morning, Twirling Candy worked just after the mid-morning renovation break in company with John Sadler-trained stablemate Java Man. Twirling Candy began the work about eight to 10 lengths behind Java Man, closed the gap to about two lengths with three furlongs to go, came through inside his workmate entering the stretch, and was about five lengths in front after one lap around the Polytrack course.

“I’m very happy. He looked smooth, galloped out a mile and an eighth in about 1:50,” Sadler said immediately following the work. “He’s a big horse, and to run a mile and a quarter on this track, you’ve got to be relaxed, and you’ve got to be fit.”

Java Man was credited with a time of 1:41.

Jeranimo, also among the expected field for the Pacific Classic, worked five furlongs in 1:01.40 Sunday with jockey Martin Pedroza, who is expected to ride him in the race.

Entries for the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic will be taken on Wednesday morning, and drawn that night at a party at a local hotel. Besides Jeranimo and Twirling Candy, the prospective field for the Pacific Classic includes Don Cavallo, Game On Dude, Quindici Man, Setsuko, Stately Victor, and Tres Borrachos. Acclamation and Bourbon Bay are both under consideration, and at least one is expected to run in the Pacific Classic. The champion filly Blind Luck is also possible for the race.

Achak, Caracortado, Make Music for Me, and Victory Pete are all expected to go to in other stakes over the next week.