Tizamagician bypassing Pacific Classic for Del Mar Handicap on turf
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Tizamagician was second in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in 2021, but will miss that race on Sept. 3 in favor of a first start in a graded stakes on turf in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap the same day.
Tizamagician worked seven furlongs on turf in 1:29.40 at Del Mar on Thursday, an exercise that convinced trainer Richard Mandella to try the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles.
“He looked nice,” Mandella said. “He handled it. I’m thinking we’ll try the turf.”
Mandella said Mike Smith is booked to ride Tizamagician, who has won two Grade 3 stakes on dirt at 1 1/2 miles. In his only start on turf, Tizamagician finished 10th in the Oceanside Stakes at a mile in 2020.
Tizamagician finished second to Heywoods Beach in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on dirt on July 24, the first start of the year for the 5-year-old Tizamagician.
Mandella has three other stakes hopefuls at Del Mar on Labor Day weekend, a group led by Royal Ship in the $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles. Royal Ship won the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on July 30.
On the same day, Goliad, the winner of an allowance race, will start in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on turf, and Big City Lights is a candidate for the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes at a mile for 3-year-olds. Big City Lights won the Real Good Deal Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds at seven furlongs on Aug. 5.