Draft Pick bound for Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – Draft Pick, third in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on July 20, is a likely starter in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 17, the track’s richest race of the year.

Trained by Peter Eurton for Lee and Susan Searing, Draft Pick was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by winner Catalina Cruiser after disputing the pace to early stretch in the San Diego at 1 1/16 miles. The Pacific Classic is run at 1 1/4 miles.

“He came out of the race looking great,” Eurton said. “He likes this track.”

The San Diego was Draft Pick’s second start of 2019, preceded by a win in an allowance race with an $80,000 claiming option at a mile at Santa Anita in June.

Aside from Catalina Cruiser and San Diego runner-up Mongolian Groom, other Pacific Classic candidates include Campaign, Gray Magician, Pavel, Quip, and Seeking the Soul.