Pacific Classic also-rans work for Awesome Again

With Flightline booked to have his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5 at Keeneland, several runners who finished well behind him in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar earlier this month will have the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes to themselves on Oct. 1 at Santa Anita.

Country Grammer, second by 19 1/4 lengths in the Pacific Classic, worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds on Sunday for the $300,000 Awesome Again. Royal Ship, third by 26 3/4 lengths in the Pacific Classic, went the same distance in 48.80, but is not a certain runner in the Awesome Again.

“I’m still on the fence if I run him in the Awesome Again,” trainer Richard Mandella said.

Royal Ship won the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 30 at Del Mar.

Tripoli, winner of the 2021 Pacific Classic but unraced since a sixth in the San Diego Handicap, worked a sharp five furlongs in 1:00.60, the quickest at the distance Sunday. Tripoli was scratched from the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf on Sept. 3.

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Express Train, who won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March but was fourth in the Pacific Classic, worked a half-mile in 50 seconds on Sunday.

Laurel River, winner of the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs Aug. 28 at Del Mar in his 2022 stakes debut, zoomed five furlongs in 59.60 on Monday at Santa Anita.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Laurel River earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Dirt Mile on Nov. 5 with the win in the O’Brien Stakes. Laurel River is among the 15 early nominees for the Awesome Again at 1 1/8 miles.

The Awesome Again winner receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic. The Awesome Again is one of 10 stakes on the opening weekend of the Santa Anita autumn meeting that begins Sept. 30.