Win the Space may not be ready for Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – Win the Space, who was second and third in Grade 1 races last year, may run out of time preparing for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 19.

Unraced since being eased in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November, Win the Space has worked steadily in recent weeks, but trainer George Papaprodromou said the $1 million Pacific Classic may be too demanding for a first race of the season.

“I don’t know if we’ll be ready,” Papaprodromou said Sunday.

Win the Space worked six furlongs in 1:14.20 last Friday but struggled toward the end of the exercise under jockey Gary Stevens, Papaprodromou said.

“Gary said he got a little tired,” he said.

An alternative race is the $75,000 Harry Brubaker Stakes at a mile Aug. 23, which could lead to graded stakes appearances this fall.

“We can give him a race here,” Papaprodromou said.

Owned by Rustin Kretz, Win the Space has won 3 of 15 starts and earned $292,572. He was second in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita and third in the Awesome Again Stakes in 2016.

After the BC Classic, Win the Space was given a 60-day break before returning to training. Win the Space, 5, was turned out a second time after a bout with colic, Papaprodromou said.

“We had to back off,” he said. “Thank God, we didn’t have to operate on him. I started little by little again.”