Express Train favored in field of nine for Pacific Classic
DEL MAR, Calif. – With Trevor Denman back in the fold, wouldn’t it be appropriate for the winner of the biggest race at the only track at which he calls to be moving, as Denman is wont to say, like an Express Train?
That will be the hope of trainer John Shirreffs, jockey Juan Hernandez, and owners Lee and Susan Searing on Saturday at Del Mar when their colt Express Train tries to get over the Grade 1 hump in the 31st edition of the $1 million Pacific Classic.
Nine older horses were entered in the race on Tuesday, and later in the day, at the popular Brigantine restaurant just beyond the track’s far turn, Express Train landed post 5 and was installed as the tepid 3-1 favorite on a line authored by Jon White that reflects the competitive nature of the race.
Of the nine runners, White pegged six of them at 5-1 or less. Royal Ship is the second choice at 7-2, Dr Post is next at 4-1, and three horses – Independence Hall, Tizamagician, and Tripoli – are all 5-1. The longshots are Cupid’s Claws (15-1), Magic On Tap (20-1), and Sheriff Brown (30-1).
The Pacific Classic, at 1 1/4 miles, is a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, also at 1 1/4 miles, also at Del Mar, on Nov. 6.
Express Train always has been regarded, but foot problems early in his 3-year-old campaign sent him to the sidelines while Honor A. P. – also trained by Shirreffs and owned by the Searings – rose to the fore, winning the Santa Anita Derby before running fourth in the postponed Kentucky Derby.
Express Train has thrived at Del Mar, where he owns three wins and a second-place finish in four starts over three seasons. He comes off a victory last month in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap over Tripoli, Royal Ship, Magic On Tap, and Sheriff Brown.
“He’s done really well down here,” Shirreffs said at the draw party. “He’s always done well at Del Mar. We’ve been looking for him to mature a little bit. Early on in his races he got hot saddling and washy warming up. Last time he was real good saddling. He got a little warm on the track, but for saddling purposes he was really good.”
Express Train, a son of Union Rags, has won four times in 12 starts. In three Grade 1 races over the past eight months, he was second in the Malibu, second in the Santa Anita Handicap, and third in the Hollywood Gold Cup.
The Santa Anita Handicap was particularly jarring, as he looked a winner in deep stretch until Idol nailed him.
“He looked like he was home,” Shirreffs said.
Independence Hall was the lone surprise entrant. He has not raced since finishing third in the Californian, won by Royal Ship, on April 17. Florent Geroux has the mount on Independence Hall, who is adding blinkers.