Dr. Venkman points to Pacific Classic as likely next start

DEL MAR, Calif. - The race goals are changing rapidly at Del Mar this summer for the 4-year-old gelding Dr. Venkman.

Stakes-placed in sprints last October and in June, Dr. Venkman won his first start around two turns in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles, a victory expected to lead to a start in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 31.

“He passed a big test,” trainer Mark Glatt said of the San Diego. “We better think about” the Pacific Classic.

Dr. Venkman ($8.20) stalked the heavily favored Arabian Knight before taking the lead on the turn. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Dr. Venkman won by a length over Katonah.

“It was good he had a target in front of him,” Glatt said. “He’s probably not reached his full potential. I think there is more there.”

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Dr. Venkman is by Ghostzapper, who won the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic at 1 1/4 miles at Lone Star Park. Ghostzapper won five other stakes at distances ranging from 6 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/8 miles.

Dr. Venkman races for the partnership of Dan Agnew, Clint Bunch, Mark Cohen and James Hailey. Dr. Venkman has won 3 of 5 starts and earned $358,500.

“I’ve been looking toward stretching him out all along,” Glatt said.

The $1 million Pacific Classic is expected to draw Katonah, who started for the first time in the San Diego Handicap since a win in the Pleasanton Mile in Northern California in July 2023.

Katonah, ridden by Tiago Pereira, had his graded stakes debut in the San Diego, which equals the longest race of his career.

Trainer Doug O’Neill described the second-place finish as “incredible” and praised Pereira’s effort.

“Tiago just loves the horse,” O’Neill said. “Tiago’s got a good thing going on there.”

Arabian Knight had his 4-year-old debut in the San Diego, his first start since a fourth-place finish in the BC Classic at Santa Anita last November. Arabian Knight won the 2023 Pacific Classic in his first start at 1 1/4 miles.

While the Pacific Classic remains a consideration, trainer Bob Baffert was left disappointed with the loss in the San Diego.

“He didn’t run his race,” Baffert said on Sunday. “I want to see how he comes out of it.”

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