Forged Steel will run in Pacific Classic, trainer Joseph says

DEL MAR, Calif. - Forged Steel, winner of the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita, will return to California from New York for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22.

Forged Steel, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., for C2 Racing Stable and Mathis Stable, was scratched from Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga.

“We had him in the Whitney in case it came up muddy or sloppy,” said Mark Cornett of C2 Racing Stable.

The Whitney Stakes, won impressively by 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty, was run on a fast track.

On Sunday, Forged Steel breezed a half-mile in 47.40 seconds at Saratoga.

Forged Steel “breezed beautifully,” Cornett said.

Forged Steel, a winner of 5 of 19 starts, led throughout the $200,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles, drawing away by 9 1/2 lengths. In the Grade 2 Suburban Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga on July 4, Forged Steel had a troubled start and failed to make the lead, finishing 12 lengths behind Phileas Fogg.

“He got taken out of his game in the last race,” Cornett said.

Cornett said Forged Steel will set the pace in the Pacific Classic.

“He’ll go straight to the lead,” Cornett said.

Forged Steel, a 4-year-old colt by Vekoma, is part of a lengthy list of potential runners in the Pacific Classic, the richest annual Thoroughbred race in California.

Knightsbridge, winner of the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup at Monmouth Park on July 18, leads the field. Joseph also plans to start Navajo Warrior, who won the Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Prairie Meadows on July 11 for his third consecutive win. Navajo Warrior has won as a stalker as recently as an allowance race at Gulfstream Park in March.

Other candidates are British Isles, Finger, Full Serrano, Malarchuk, Nevada Beach, Om N Joy, Subsanador, and The Goat.

Edwin Gonzalez is booked to ride Forged Steel, while Micah Husbands will ride Navajo Warrior.

Full Serrano, best known for winning the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar in 2024, worked six furlongs in 1:11.60 on Sunday. Joel Rosario will ride Full Serrano, trainer John Sadler said.

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