Geaux Rocket Ride works half-mile; Mandella leaning toward Pacific Classic
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Geaux Rocket Ride, winner of the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 22, worked a half-mile in 48.40 seconds at Del Mar on Friday, leaving trainer Richard Mandella leaning toward a start for the lightly raced colt in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Sept. 2.
In recent weeks, Mandella has mentioned the $1 million Pacific Classic against older horses at 1 1/4 miles or the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on Sept. 3 as leading options.
The Pacific Classic is preferred, Mandella said on Friday, after watching the workout and Geaux Rocket Ride’s recent training.
“I’d say today that’s where I’m aiming,” Mandella said. “He looks like he’s back already. I needed to see that before I got too excited.
“He went an easy half-mile and looked great.”
The Pacific Classic, California’s richest annual race for older horses, will be Geaux Rocket Ride’s first start at 1 1/4 miles. Owned by Pin Oak Stud, Geaux Rocket Ride has won 3 of 4 starts and earned $780,200.
The $1,017,500 Haskell was Geaux Rocket Ride’s first stakes win and first start at 1 1/8 miles. He closed from fourth in a field of eight to win by 1 3/4 lengths over Mage, the winner of the Kentucky Derby in May.
Arabian Knight, third by 3 3/4 lengths in the Haskell as the 11-10 favorite, worked a half-mile in 49.20 seconds at Del Mar on Friday for an expected start in the Pacific Classic. Bob Baffert trains Arabian Knight, a winner of two of three starts.
The Pacific Classic field is likely to include Senor Buscador, the upset winner of the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on July 29.
“For him, it would benefit him most if he can get a piece of the Pacific Classic or win it,” trainer Todd Fincher said on Friday.
Fincher has considered the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs on Aug. 26 or the Pacific Classic for Senor Buscador, a winner of 6 of 12 starts since the fall of 2020.
The Pacific Classic “gives him an extra week,” Fincher said. “I think he would have a better shot to win the Pat O’Brien, but to get a Classic victory would be very good.”
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