Pacific Classic shaping up as battle among locals

DEL MAR, Calif. – The Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 31 at Del Mar may be a locals-only affair.

While developments in coming weeks could lead to changes in the lineup, the list of candidates as of Sunday consisted entirely of Southern California-based runners. Trainer Todd Pletcher said in a text message Sunday that he does not have plans for a starter.

The list of potential runners includes the graded stakes winners Arabian Knight, Dr. Venkman, Express Train, Midnight Mammoth, and Reincarnate; the stakes winners Full Serrano, Katonah, and Parenting; and the stakes-placed Mixto.

Arabian Knight won the 2023 Pacific Classic and was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November. In his lone start this year, Arabian Knight was fourth in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 27 at Del Mar, finishing behind Dr. Venkman, Katonah, and Express Train.

Arabian Knight worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Sunday at Del Mar. Trainer Bob Baffert stopped short of committing Arabian Knight, or stablemates Parenting and Reincarnate, to the Pacific Classic, a race he has won six times.

:: DRF's Del Mar Handicapping Packages: Get everything you need to play the races with confidence.

Full Serrano, the winner of an allowance race at a mile by 2 1/4 lengths in his American debut on Aug. 3, is trained by John Sadler, who has won the Pacific Classic four times, all since 2018.

Senor Buscador, winner of the $20 million Saudi Cup in Saudi Arabia in February, is not a candidate for the Pacific Classic.

Senor Buscador is being pointed to the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs on Aug. 24 at Del Mar. Senor Buscador was third by nine lengths in the $12 million Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates on March 30.

Newgate, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 3 and ninth in the Dubai World Cup, had his first work of the summer last Friday, working three furlongs in 36.40 seconds for Baffert.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.