Shared Belief completes Pacific Classic preparations

DEL MAR, Calif. – Shared Belief, who will put his unbeaten record on the line against a strong group of older horses in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Sunday at Del Mar, had his final work Tuesday, a half-mile in 49.60 seconds at Golden Gate Fields, where he has trained regularly since the spring.

“I think we’ve done all the things we need to do to be ready,” Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains and is a co-owner of Shared Belief, said via telephone. “The proof comes on Sunday.”

A field of 11 was expected to be entered Wednesday for the Pacific Classic, the richest and most-important race of the meet here. Shared Belief’s top rival is Game On Dude, who won this race last year and will be competing in the Pacific Classic for the fourth straight year.

The first time Game On Dude ran in the Pacific Classic, in 2011, Shared Belief was 6 months old.

Shared Belief was the Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old male of 2013. He injured a foot earlier this year, which caused him to miss the Triple Crown. In two starts since returning to action, he has won an allowance sprint against older horses at Golden Gate and the Los Alamitos Derby. The Pacific Classic will be his first race at 1 1/4 miles, his first start at Del Mar, and his first stakes race against older runners.

“It should be a heck of a race,” Hollendorfer said. “We’re happy to be able to compete.”

Russell Baze worked Shared Belief on Tuesday. Mike Smith has the mount Sunday. Smith chose Shared Belief over Game On Dude.

Shared Belief was scheduled to be sent by van to Del Mar on Wednesday. Hollendorfer was going to fly down Wednesday morning.

“I intend to be standing there when he arrives,” Hollendorfer said.

The Pacific Classic is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Tweeting for a jockey

Trainer Jamie Osborne found out early Tuesday morning that Jamie Spencer would not be able to ride Toast of New York in the Pacific Classic, so he decided to cast about on Twitter for a replacement.

“This has got to be the first time a jockey has been booked on Twitter,” he said in a telephone call from Britain. “We’ll find out the power of Twitter. Let’s see if this Twitter thing is very useful. I’ve got 24 hours to find a jockey.”

Within seconds, Osborne was inundated on his Twitter account with suggestions for replacements. He also was contacted via telephone by Brian Beach, the jockey’s agent for Victor Espinoza, and as of midday Tuesday, it appeared that Espinoza would end up with the mount.