White Abarrio © Benoit Photo
PACIFIC CLASSIC PREVIEW: QUESTIONS ABOUND TWO WEEKS OUT
Usually by this time every year we have a pretty good idea of who plans to run in the G1 Pacific Classic. But this year, for one reason or another, trainers and owners are holding back and waiting.
One theory has everyone waiting for the connections of Journalism to make their decision of what they’re going to do with their Preakness and Haskell winner. If he goes in the Pacific Classic, some may choose to dodge him and go somewhere else. If he doesn’t go, speculation has many connections jumping in to try to get a piece of the $1 million pie.
“Still a lot to be determined,” racing secretary David Jerkens contends. “Nominations close next Thursday in addition to a bunch of other stakes. We received the news about White Abarrio and we’re planning on Nysos.”
Nyso’s is a 4-year-old colt out of the Bob Baffert barn. The son of Nyquist has been pointing to the Pacific Classic ever since his win in the G2 San Diego last month. He worked Saturday at Del Mar and drilled seven furlongs in 1:24.60.
Reports had White Abarrio making the trip out West to run in the Pacific Classic then staying in California and prepping for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But now it’s not such a sure thing. This week came word from the Saffie Joseph camp that they may stay in New York and run in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga on August 31.
The 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner fired a bullet work, going four furlongs in :47.40 at Saratoga on Thursday.
So for now, four horses are considered probables. Nysos and his stablemate Mirahmadi, Craig Dollase’s Midnight Mammoth and Indispensable from the John Sadler barn, which raced last year’s Pacific Classic runner-up Full Serrano.
Possibles for the Pacific Classic are Malarchuk, a new stablemate of Journalism’s in the Michael McCarthy barn; Ultimate Gamble from the Mark Glatt stable; White Abarrio, Journalism and trainer Peter Eurton’s Tarantino, though Eurton said Saturday he’s still considering an invitation he received for the Korea Cup next month.
“We’ll see where the 3-year-olds land,” Jerkens says. “There are a lot of options around the country for all categories this time of year. We’ve reached out to anybody that has a decent older handicap-type horse. The picture will start to get clearer in the next couple of days.”
McCarthy and primary owner Aron Wellman look like they’ll remain on the fence at least through next weekend. One option for Journalism, obviously, is the Pacific Classic on August 30. It would be the colt’s first venture against older horses but it should be noted that six 3-year-olds have won the Pacific Classic in the past. It’s a ‘Win and You’re In’ for the Breeders’ Cup Classic but Journalism already punched his ticket to the big race when he won the Haskell at Monmouth Park last month.
The other option for the Derby and Belmont Stakes runner up would be waiting for the G1 Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita on September 27. Next week’s scheduled breeze for Journalism is expected to give McCarthy and Wellman a better idea of whether they want to run twice before the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar in November, or just once.
All of the probables for the Pacific Classic worked this week, all but one at Del Mar. Mirahmadi galloped on Sunday and is expected to work Monday. Indispensable drilled six furlongs on Saturday, stopping the clock at 1:13.60. Midnight Mammoth put in a one mile work in 1:40.20 Sunday at Los Alamitos.
From the group of possibles to work this week, Journalism went four furlongs in :48.00 Saturday at Del Mar. Ultimate Gamble also breezed Saturday at the seaside oval, going five furlongs in :59.60. Tarantino fired a bullet four furlongs in :47.00 at Del Mar on Friday.
The G1 Pacific Classic is part of a must-see day of stakes racing at Del Mar on August 30. Also on the card are the G2 Del Mar Handicap, the G2 Del Mar Mile, the G3 Green Flash, and the G3 Torrey Pines.
PATRICK VALENZUELA INJURED IN SPILL DURING MORNING WORKOUTS
Veteran rider turned exercise rider Patrick Valenzuela was thrown while working a horse at Del Mar Sunday morning and taken to nearby Scripps La Jolla Hospital for observation.
The 62-year-old veteran was on a 3-year-old colt named Fire Mountain out of trainer Peter Eurton’s barn shortly after 9 a.m. Witnesses say the horse ducked in at one point, unseating Valenzuela.
“He hadn’t even gotten into the work yet,” Eurton noted. “I was on the front side (near the grandstand) and they went behind the (infield) screen and when the horse came back into view there was no him (Valenzuela) in the saddle.”
Valenzuela appeared to try to get up at first but then chose to take a seat under the rail until paramedics arrived. He was put on a stretcher and taken to the hospital.
“I talked to Patrick’s brother and he said he’s just a little body sore,” Eurton said. “It doesn’t look like there’s anything wrong with him.”
Fire Mountain was fine and is back at Eurton’s barn.
Valenzuela rode on and off for more than 35 years after winning his first race in 1978. He had 4,372 winners and more than $166 million in purses. He rode dozens of major stakes winners, including scores in the 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness on Sunday Silence. He also won seven Breeders’ Cup races.
Since arriving at Del Mar this summer Valenzuela’s been working several horses for different trainers.
“He’s such a gamer,” Eurton states. “He wants to come back so bad. I wanted to put him on something as soon as he got reinstated.”
FIRST HALF REPORT CARD: PLENTY OF ‘A’ GRADES TO GO AROUND
We’ve passed the midway point of the 86th summer season at Del Mar and it’s been a meet with a little bit of everything: thrilling finishes, big fields and unforgettable performances all wrapped up in Del Mar’s excellent weather.
“Typical Del Mar,” racing secretary David Jerkens says. “The stakes races have been strong. Our 2-year-olds that debut here are probably the best in the country. The crowds have been energetic. There’s definitely a good vibe. It’s a place people want to be.”
There are plenty of highlights to choose from in the first half. From Nysos’ expected victory in the G2 San Diego to Seismic Beauty’s coming out party in the G1 Clement L. Hirsch. There was Juan Hernandez’ six-win day and Bob Baffert’s dominating 2-year-olds.
“I think the upset in the Bing Crosby (by 7-year-old Lovesick Blues),” Jerkens makes as his choice of the highlight of the meet. “It was a Grade I, one of my favorite races at Del Mar. Didn’t expect the result. I’m happy for the connections. I thought Thought Process in the San Clemente was as impressive as it gets from the turf side of things. Graham Motion shipping out and dominating the Yellow Ribbon (with the 6-year-old mare Heredia).”
There are 1,850 to 1,900 horses currently stabled here at Del Mar, just the number officials like to have this time of year. It’s making for good fields throughout the four weeks of racing, with an average of more than eight horses filling each race this summer.
“If you look around the country, we’re amongst the highest (in average field size),” Jerkens points out. “I’m happy with the results so far.”
“Ship & Win” continues to be a strong draw for out-of-state operations.
“Typically 70 percent of ‘Ship & Win’ participants are local owners and trainers,” Jerkens notes. “One barn in particular, Kent Sweezey, has made quite a few starts. Our local contingent have been aggressive acquiring horses and with the increased incentives that we offer we’re seeing positive results.”
Maybe the most pleasant surprise of the summer meet at Del Mar has been the increase in allowance races, not only the quantity, but the quality as well.
“We’ve consistently filled our allowance races,” according to Jerkens. “We had a three-other-than on the turf the other day that (trainer John) Sadler won that was essentially a stakes race. You try to get these better races to fill. They serve as preps to other races. You have that eight week window where everybody tries to get two starts in. The staff has worked hard trying to fill the races in the book the best that we can.”
He says there’s also been an increased interest in the Cal-bred allowance races this year. But in the end it’s the 2-year-olds that make it all work and they’ve been a strong, exciting bunch in 2025.
“It’s a key part of our program,” Jerkens says about the 2-year-olds on the grounds. “We’ve been fortunate to fill the main allowance races to this point. We rely on the 2-year-olds and we’re optimistic the momentum will continue.”
And then there’s the Del Mar weather. It’s hard to remember a more enjoyable summer than what we’re had so far this year.
“I don’t want to jinx myself but there are some summers when it gets humid,” Jerkens warns. “We grumble when it’s in the high seventies but it’s been cool especially in the mornings. That’s an element we have over everybody else.”
So what’s ahead for the second half this summer? To begin with there’s the Pacific Classic and its great undercard of stakes races just weeks away.
“We’ve started working on all of those races,” Jerkens says. “We have four other stakes races that day. We’re reaching out to anyone who has a horse that fits that specific race, we’re calling them.”
Then there’s closing weekend with its crowded lineup of stakes races including the G1 Debutante and the G1 Futurity. Plenty of exciting horse racing still ahead between now and September 7.
SPRINTERS GRAB THE SPOTLIGHT IN NEXT WEEK’S STAKES ACTION
A pair of quality stakes will highlight next week’s racing at Del Mar. Saturday is the 40th running of the G2 Pat O’Brien, a seven furlong dirt sprint for 3-year-olds and up. On Sunday it’s the 54th running of the G3 Rancho Bernardo, a 6 ½-furlong dash for fillies and mares.
The Pat O’Brien may mark the return of Lovesick Blues, the upset winner of the G1 Bing Crosby last month. He could be joined by others who came up short in the Bing Crosby, as well as a group of new shooters. Some notable nominees to the race include Bob Baffert’s Speed Boat Beach, Philip D’Amato’s Stronghold and John Shirreffs’ Express Train.
They are three of 18 nominations to the race. Entries for Saturday’s races will be drawn Wednesday.
Then on Sunday the ladies take the spotlight in the G3 Rancho Bernardo with last year’s winner, Sweet Azteca, expected to defend her crown. She’ll be the class of the field unless Baffert decides to enter Richi, one of three he’s nominated to the race. Richi is a graded stakes winner though lately she’s been racing two turns. She did win the G3 Las Flores, a six furlong sprint at Santa Anita, earlier this year.
Fourteen fillies and mares are nominated for the Rancho Bernardo. Entries for Sunday’s races will be drawn on Thursday.
CHAPLAINCY HOSTS BACKSIDE PICNIC AND BBQ TUESDAY
The Race Track Chaplaincy of California will hold its annual Backside Picnic and Barbeque this Tuesday by the backside kitchen from noon until 2 p.m. All are welcome to stop by and meet Chaplain Eli and his crew and grab a bite to eat.
The RTCC has been serving the heart of racetracks for over 30 years, caring for the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the workers who make horseracing possible. Chaplain Eli helps with licensing, transportation, ministry and a long list of behind the scenes support.
Tuesday’s barbeque is made possible by your generous donations to the RTCC.
COOLING OUT: Trainer Michael McCarthy reports Velocity, his upset winner of the G1 Del Mar Oaks Saturday, came out of the race in good order. He’s undecided where he will go next with the 3-year-old daughter of Nyquist, but mentioned a trip back east is a possibility…Jockey Edwin Maldonado, in one of the worst droughts of his career, won aboard Last Call Paul in Friday’s Race 7. It was his first win of the meet after going oh-for-43 on a horse that was oh-for-25 in his career…When Bob Baffert’s Casalu got beat in the G1 Del Mar Oaks Saturday, it snapped a nine-race win streak for the Hall of Fame trainer, dating back to August 3. He’s had horses lose in that time but they were in race in which he had multiple entries in which one of his was the winner…Jockey Umberto Rispoli collected a hat trick Saturday winning Race 2 on board Bad Uncle Barry; Race 6 with The White Lady, and Race 9 on Joint Venture…Notable works on Sunday: Dirt – Dr. Venkman (4f, :49.40); Hejazi (4f, :48.40); Kopion (4f, :47.80); Madaket Road (4f, :48.00); Medoro (4f, :46.00); Buetane (5f, :59.60); Om N Joy (5f, :59.00); Speed Boat Beach (5f, :58.40); Stronghold (5f, :59.00); Sweet Azteca (5f, 1:00.20); Full Serrano (6f, 1:12.60); Tenma (6f, 1:13.00). Turf – Freedom’s Not Free (4f, :51.80); Game Warrior (4f, :50.00); Motorious (4f, :47.80); Ag Bullet (5f, 1:00.80); Almendares (5f, 1:02.60); Iron Man Cal (5f, 1:02.00); King of Gosford (5f, 1:02.60); The Padre (5f, 1:02.20), and Truly Quality (5f, 1:00.80). A total of 234 horses put in official works at Del Mar Sunday morning.