Pacific Classic field of 11 may have enough pace to set up Senor Buscador

By the time the field in Saturday’s Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar reaches the first turn, Senor Buscador will be in his usual spot at the back of the field. About that time, trainer Todd Fincher will begin alternating his focus on Senor Buscador’s position and the tote board to gauge early fractions in the $1 million race at 1 1/4 miles.

Fincher is begging for a rapid pace to help Senor Buscador’s closing style, a tactic that led to the 5-year-old’s most prestigious win in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 29 at Del Mar.

“I think there will be a decent pace,” Fincher said. “I don’t think it will be a crazy pace. I wish it was.”

From the rail, the field is Geaux Rocket Ride, Katonah, Stilleto Boy, Tripoli, Defunded, Order and Law, Slow Down Andy, Senor Buscador, Arabian Knight, Piroli, and Skinner.

If all 11 start, it will be the largest field for the Pacific Classic since Game On Dude beat 11 rivals in 2013. The Pacific Classic program has a first post time of 1:30 p.m.

Runners such as Defunded, who won the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles from the front on May 29 at Santa Anita, and the versatile Stilleto Boy, who won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles in March, are likely to be prominent.

Defunded was fourth as the 4-5 favorite in the San Diego Handicap, never reaching the lead. Trainer Bob Baffert described Defunded as “flat.”

“He was fourth on class,” Baffert said the day after the race.

Stilleto Boy can lead or stalk the pace. He was sixth of eight in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on July 1 at Ellis Park after racing as close as a length from the front early.

Senor Buscador, who races for Joe Peacock, was fifth of six behind Defunded in the Hollywood Gold Cup, his first start at 1 1/4 miles. He raced wide into the stretch and was not a factor late.

Fincher said Senor Buscador showed in the San Diego that he can win leading stakes in Southern California even if his running style can leave him exposed behind a slow pace.

“I think his talent level fits with anyone,” Fincher said. “He gives them a six-length head start and jumps into the race. It’s a huge disadvantage against those type of horses.

“You’ve got to run with 10 others and overcome whatever obstacles are in front of you.”

The Pacific Classic field has three intriguing 3-year-olds in Geaux Rocket Ride and Arabian Knight, who were first and third in the Haskell Invitational at 1 1/8 miles on July 22 at Monmouth Park, and Skinner, second in the Los Alamitos Derby at 1 1/8 miles on July 9.

They will all be starting at 1 1/4 miles for the first time.

Geaux Rocket Ride is the 5-2 favorite on the morning line, closely followed by Arabian Knight at 3-1. Senor Buscador was 10-1, slightly lower than his 13-1 price in the San Diego.

The Pacific Classic is one of five stakes on an 11-race program that includes two Grade 2 turf stakes worth $300,000 – the Del Mar Mile and Del Mar Handicap.

The winners of three of the stakes on Saturday will receive fees-paid berths to Breeders’ Cup races on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita – Pacific Classic for the BC Classic, Del Mar Handicap for the BC Turf, and Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap at five furlongs on turf for the BC Turf Sprint.