Tripoli's road to BC Classic may be affected by Rock Your World

DEL MAR, Calif. – The immediate path forward for Tripoli toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic, to which he earned a fees-paid berth via a Pacific Classic victory at Del Mar on Saturday, may not be determined until this weekend, when barnmate Rock Your World returns to action in the Shared Belief Stakes, also at Del Mar.

Rock Your World, winner of the Santa Anita Derby in April, has not raced since fading to sixth in the Belmont Stakes, which followed his nightmarish trip in the Kentucky Derby. With the reset button hit, should he perform well Sunday in the $100,000 Shared Belief - a one-mile race for 3-year-olds - that could propel him to the 1 1/8-mile Awesome Again on Oct. 2 at Santa Anita, this circuit’s major prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

And that, said trainer John Sadler, who trains both colts, could determine his management of Tripoli.

“We’ve got multiple horses,” he said. “We’ll have to see how it plays out.”

:: DRF's Del Mar headquarters – Stakes schedule, previews, recaps, past performances, and more

Tripoli is owned solely by Kosta and Pete Hronis, who are co-owners of Rock Your World with Michael Talla. Tripoli gave Sadler and the Hronis brothers their third Pacific Classic victory in the last four years, following Accelerate in 2018 and Higher Power in 2019.

Tripoli was making his first start at 1 1/4 miles, and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 104. He was “lying down sleeping when I checked on him earlier,” Sadler said Sunday morning.

As for Rock Your World, he has worked six straight Sundays at Del Mar, with a five-furlong move in 59.80 seconds to complete the series. Umberto Rispoli is reunited with Rock Your World in the Shared Belief, Sadler said. Rispoli rode him to victory in the Santa Anita Derby, but Joel Rosario was given the mount in the Derby and Belmont.

Tizamagician, the Pacific Classic runner-up, turned in the best race of his career while shortening up after three straight races at 1 1/2 miles. He could be in play for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, as well as the 1 3/4-mile marathon race – named for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance - that is run that weekend.

“I’m really proud of him,” said his trainer, Richard Mandella, who said he’d “play it by ear” regarding his next start.

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

Mandella also sent out Royal Ship, who finished seventh of nine as the race’s second choice. Mandella said jockey Mike Smith “said he didn’t like the track.”

“That’s the only excuse we’ve got,” Mandella said.

Express Train, sent off the favorite, was equally disappointing, finishing sixth.

“He got shut off when he broke from the gate and that didn’t work to his advantage,” said his trainer, John Shirreffs. “We’re evolving how to train him with a style he likes.”

Shirreffs said Express Train would be pointed to the Awesome Again.

- additional reporting by Steve Andersen