Stilleto Boy will target Pacific Classic next

Stilleto Boy, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March, emerged from a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Stakes at Ellis Park on Saturday “a little tired,” according to trainer Ed Moger Jr.

Stilleto Boy, who was shipped to Santa Anita on Sunday, will make his next start in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Sept. 2, Moger said.

The $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles is the richest annual race for older horses in California, and a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.

The winner of the Pacific Classic receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Classic, also run at 1 1/4 miles.

In the $1 million Foster at 1 1/8 miles, Stilleto Boy was beaten 4 3/4 lengths after racing in a stalking position on the backstretch.

“I don’t think he ran his best race,” Moger said. “It was hot that day. He seemed more tired than normal after the race.”

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Stilleto Boy, owned by Moger’s brother Steve, was last of six behind Horse of the Year Flightline in the 2022 Pacific Classic, the gelding’s final start until a second-place finish in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita last December.

The Big Cap is Stilleto Boy’s most prestigious win in his 23-race career.

Chase the Chaos, fifth for Moger in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 20, was recently transferred to trainer Frank Lucarelli at Emerald Downs where the gelding will be based briefly.

Moger said owners Adam Ference and Bill Dory are planning to start Chase the Chaos in the Grade 3 Canadian Derby at Century Mile on Aug. 26. The $200,000 Canadian Derby is run at 1 1/4 miles.

Moger said Chase the Chaos will be based with a trainer at Century Mile.

Chase the Chaos won the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in February.

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