Geaux Rocket Ride works for older horses try in Pacific Classic

Geaux Rocket Ride, winner of the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational for 3-year-olds at Monmouth Park on July 22, continued major preparation for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Sept. 2 with a seven-furlong workout in 1:25.40 on Friday.

Geaux Rocket Ride will be among the favorites in the $1 million Pacific Classic, which will be the colt’s first start against older horses and first start at 1 1/4 miles.

Trained by Richard Mandella, Geaux Rocket Ride worked alone under jockey Mike Smith, who has the mount in the Pacific Classic.

“It was nice and steady,” Mandella said.

Mandella said Geaux Rocket Ride will have one more workout before the Pacific Classic. He said the colt has rebounded strongly from his win in the Haskell.

“He’s back to feeling good again,” Mandella said. “It looks like he’s ready to go.”

The stakes winners Arabian Lion and Fort Bragg worked five furlongs on Friday for trainer Bob Baffert in advance of scheduled start in the Grade 1 Allen Jerkens Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Saratoga on Aug. 26.

Arabian Lion, who won the Grade 1 Woody Stephens Stakes at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park on June 10, was timed in 59.20 seconds. Fort Bragg, the winner of the Grade 2 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park on July 1, as timed in 59.60.

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