Midnight Storm sticking with what he does best

DEL MAR, Calif. – A year ago, Midnight Storm was ambitiously tried in the $1 million Pacific Classic on dirt, finishing last of 10 in Del Mar’s richest race. He has not raced on the main track since and will not for the foreseeable future.

On Thursday, trainer Phil D’Amato said he plans to start Midnight Storm in the $200,000 Del Mar Mile on turf Aug. 21, a day after this year’s Pacific Classic.

Midnight Storm is in the best form of his career, having won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita in June and the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes here on July 17. D’Amato said all he needs to see is a positive workout on turf from Midnight Storm on Sunday.

“If he gives me the breeze I’m looking for, we’ll go,” D’Amato said. “He’s shown a lot of energy in gallops. His mind is right, and his confidence is high.”

D’Amato does not intend to have a runner in the Pacific Classic.

The Grade 1 race at a 1 1/4 miles is likely to have a field of nine, led by the champions California Chrome and Beholder. On Thursday, Beholder was walked at trainer Richard Mandella’s stable. Mandella said Beholder responded well following a workout on Wednesday and is likely to start in the Pacific Classic, a race she won in 2015.

Other candidates include Dalmore, Dortmund, Hard Aces, Hoppertunity, Imperative, War Story, and Win the Space.

Dortmund, a millionaire Grade 1 winner, was second to California Chrome in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap here on July 23 in his first start since November. He is a leading contender in the Pacific Classic.

Beholder finished second to Stellar Wind in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes here on July 30. Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015, is not a candidate for the Pacific Classic and is being pointed for the Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1.