Full Serrano may target Pacific Classic, Sadler says
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DEL MAR, Calif. - A bold win by Full Serrano in his American debut in an allowance race at Del Mar on Saturday may lead to a start in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 31.
Owned by Hronis Racing and trained by John Sadler, the Argentine-bred Full Serrano led throughout the one-mile race, prevailing by 2 1/4 lengths.
Ridden by Hector Berrios, Full Serrano ($21.80) led or disputed the pace through fractions of 21.58 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.94 for the first half-mile. He led by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining, and was timed in 1:37.78.
“You don’t expect them to show that kind of speed, if the fractions are legit,” Sadler said. “We were quite happy.”
The $1 million Pacific Classic, run at 1 1/4 miles on dirt, is a key California prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at the same distance at Del Mar on Nov. 2. The winner of the Pacific Classic receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic. Full Serrano, 5, is nominated to the Breeders’ Cup.
Candidates for the Pacific Classic include the first four finishers of the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 27 – Dr. Venkman, Katonah, Express Train, and Arabian Knight – plus Midnight Mammoth, who won the Grade 3 Cougar II Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on July 25; and Parenting, the undefeated 3-year-old who won an allowance race on July 28 in his most recent start.
Hronis Racing and Sadler have won the Pacific Classic four times in the last six years, most recently in 2022 with Flightline, Horse of the Year that season.
“It’s a race we’ve always liked,” Sadler said.
Full Serrano, by the Mizzen Mast stallion Full Mast, has won 5 of 15 starts. He won a minor stakes on turf at 1 1/4 miles in Argentina last December.
“He really gets the longer trip,” Sadler said.
Through Saturday, Sadler’s stable was off to an excellent start at the Del Mar summer meeting, which began on July 20, leading the standings with eight wins, one more than Phil D’Amato.
Sadler lost a chance for another win earlier on Saturday when Known Luck broke through the gate before an allowance race on turf and ran a furlong down the track. Jockey Juan Hernandez remained aboard Known Luck through the incident. When Known Luck was examined by a veterinarian after he returned to the starting gate, the 3-year-old was withdrawn.
“We had a bit of bad luck,” Sadler said.
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