Warren’s Veneda out, Bayern still unconfirmed for Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – The field of candidates for the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22 began to shrink Friday.

The trainers of Bailoutbobby, Bayern, and Warren’s Veneda said they will not run or are considering other races. Bayern, the winner of the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November, might run in the $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs the same day, trainer Bob Baffert said. Bayern is winless in three starts this year, including a fourth in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap here July 25.

Bailoutbobby, second in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap on July 24, is a possibility for the Pacific Classic or the $200,000 Greenwood Cup at 1 1/2 miles Sept. 7 at Parx Racing, according to trainer Doug O’Neill.

Warren’s Veneda, the 5-year-old mare who was third to Beholder in the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes on Aug. 1, will not run in the Pacific Classic because of a bruised foot. On Friday, trainer Craig Lewis said Warren’s Veneda could run in the $750,000 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 29, with a decision to be finalized this weekend.

“There is a chance she could go to New York,” he said. “I wouldn’t run unless she was 100 percent.”

In addition, trainer Todd Pletcher said Friday in a text message that Coach Inge, who won the Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational at Belmont Park on June 6, is not definite to ship from Saratoga for the Pacific Classic.

The field for the Pacific Classic is led by Beholder, the two-time champion mare who has not started against males; Catch a Flight, the winner of the San Diego Handicap; and Hard Aces, the winner of the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita in June.

Other probable starters are Class Leader, Hoppertunity, Imperative, Midnight Storm, and Red Vine.