Hard Aces, Quick Casablanca might get rematch

DEL MAR, Calif. – Hard Aces and Quick Casablanca finished a half-length apart when they were first and second in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on dirt last Sunday. They could meet again in a turf marathon next month.

The two older horses are being considered for the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf Aug. 20. There is a chance that Hard Aces could run the same day in the $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on dirt, but trainer John Sadler said on Wednesday that the presence of expected runners such as Beholder, California Chrome, and Dortmund could result in Hard Aces starting on turf.

“I’m not committing one way or another, and I’m not saying no,” Sadler said of the Pacific Classic. “We’ll see how it shapes up.”

Quick Casablanca is expected to stay at Del Mar instead of being sent to Arlington Park for the $350,000 American St. Leger on Aug. 13, trainer Ron McAnally said.

“The race here gives us a little more time,” McAnally said. “It’s a bigger purse back there, but we don’t know what the weather will be.”