Next Arabian Knight-Geaux Rocket Ride showdown could come in BC Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. - There is a significant chance the next meeting in the budding rivalry between the brilliant 3-year-olds Arabian Knight and Geaux Rocket Ride will be the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.

A 1-2 finish in Saturday’s Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar leaves both runners at the fore of the BC Classic discussion. The BC Classic at 1 1/4 miles may be their next starts, according to Bob Baffert, who trains Arabian Knight, and Richard Mandella, who trains Geaux Rocket Ride.

Baffert was noncommittal on Sunday morning about whether Arabian Knight would start in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 30. Mandella said the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes is a possibility.

A thrilling stretch run in the Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles, with Arabian Knight leading throughout and holding off a late run from Geaux Rocket Ride, understandably leaves observers eager to see the matchup.

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Both hold fees-paid spots in the BC Classic, the nation’s top race for older horses. Geaux Rocket Ride earned a berth by winning the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 22. Arabian Knight was third in that race in his first start since January.

Arabian Knight earned a BC Classic berth with his win on Saturday. Owned by Amr Zedan, Arabian Knight was rated as a Kentucky Derby contender earlier this year until he was taken out of training in the spring.

The hype surrounding the colt’s ability proved true, judging from his bold win from the front in the Pacific Classic.

“That Arabian Knight is so gutty,” Baffert said on Sunday. “Every time they came to him, he kept running.”

Arabian Knight led by a length on the backstretch of the Pacific Classic, but only by a head over Slow Down Andy on the turn.

“At the quarter-pole, he looked a little wobbly,” Baffert said.

Arabian Knight, who was ridden by Flavien Prat, repelled Slow Down Andy only to face a threat in the final strides from Geaux Rocket Ride, who was ridden by Mike Smith.

“Geaux Rocket Ride ran a good race,” Baffert said. “He’s a good horse.”

Arabian Knight had his fourth start in the Pacific Classic. Geaux Rocket Ride had his fifth.

Mandella thought Geaux Rocket Ride was a winner with a furlong remaining.

“The other horse didn’t give up,” he said of Arabian Knight.

If Geaux Rocket Ride starts in the Awesome Again, the race will be his first start at 1 1/8 miles since the Haskell.

In the Pacific Classic, Geaux Rocket Ride finished 1 1/4 lengths clear of the 4-year-old Slow Down Andy in the field of 10.

“I’ll look at the Awesome Again,” Mandella said. “I’ll decide whether it’s best to wait for the Breeders’ Cup or give him a prep.”

Slow Down Andy could start in the BC Classic or BC Dirt Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, pending conversations between owner Paul Reddam and trainer Doug O’Neill.

Slow Down Andy can be pre-entered in both races on Oct. 23 before a decision is due on Oct. 30, the day entries will be taken.

“We’ll have to see who’s lining up for the races,” O’Neill said.

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