Shared Belief to train for Pacific Classic up north

CYPRESS, Calif. – Shared Belief, the undefeated champion 2-year-old male of 2013, will be based at Golden Gate Fields in Northern California in the buildup to an expected start in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 24.

The winner of the $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby last Saturday, Shared Belief was shipped to Golden Gate Fields on Monday, according to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. For much of this year, Shared Belief has trained on the Tapeta Footings synthetic surface at Golden Gate Fields, which Hollendorfer said has been kind to the gelding’s feet.

Shared Belief missed approximately two months of training and racing this year because of a quarter crack. The ailment kept him out of the major stakes for 3-year-olds in late winter and eventually the Triple Crown.

“His feet have been good,” Hollendorfer said. “So far, it’s worked when he’s been here.”

Shared Belief has started twice this year, beginning his season with a win in an allowance race over six furlongs against older horses at Golden Gate Fields in late May. The Pacific Classic will be Shared Belief’s stakes debut against older horses. The Grade 1 Pacific Classic is run over 1 1/4 miles on the Polytrack synthetic surface and is the top race of the meeting at Del Mar.

“I will be looking to take him down there a week before he runs,” Hollendorfer said.

By keeping Shared Belief at Golden Gate Fields, Hollendorfer left open the chance that he could run Shared Belief elsewhere in late summer.

“If we were to change our minds and run in a different race, it doesn’t matter where he trains,” Hollendorfer said. “I’m not saying we’ll do that.”

Owned by a partnership that includes television sports commentator Jim Rome, Shared Belief has won five races, including three stakes, and has earned $772,200.