Pacific Classic 2024 News (8-18-24)

By Jarrod Horak

The Grade 1 Pacific Classic will be run at Del Mar on Saturday, Aug. 31. Nominations close on Aug. 22 and the race will be drawn on Aug. 27.  Keep checking the Digest website for updated Pacific Classic news.

Ten horses listed are as possible as of Aug. 18, and a shipper or two could also enter the mix in the coming days. Since I last checked in, two possible starters dropped out and four others have been added to the list. Todd Pletcher recently told DRF that he did not plan on having a starter in the Pacific Classic. Seven-time Pacific Classic-winning trainer Bob Baffert has three possible runners.

Pacific Classic Hopefuls (as of 8-18-24):

Dr. Venkman – Won the San Diego Handicap (G2) by a length on July 27. He worked 6f in 1:12.40 (2/12) on Aug. 17.   

Express Train – Rallied to pick up the show in the San Diego. He worked 6f in 1:13.00 (3/8) on Aug. 16.   

Full Serrano – South American transplant won his first start in this country on Aug. 3. That was a flat mile optional-claiming race, and he dueled from the inside post and scored by 2 1/4 lengths. He traveled 5f in 59.80 (7/92) on Aug. 18.  

Katonah – He returned from a long layoff to land the place at 20-1 odds in the San Diego Handicap. He went 6f in 1:12.60 (3/12) on Aug. 17.

Midnight Mammoth – Won the Grade 3 Cougar II by 10 1/4 lengths over Reincarnate at a mile and a half on July 25. He worked 6f in 1:13.20 (6/12) on Aug. 17. 

Mixto – He is 1-for-13 overall and hit the board in four stakes races. He most recently landed the place in the Pleasanton Mile on July 7. He had a 6f move in 1:14.00 (10/12) on Aug. 17. 

Newgate – He finished up the track when last seen in the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup on March 30. Bob Baffert’s charge drilled a 3f bullet in 36.40 (1/8) on Aug. 9, and went a half-mile in 49.80 (24/32) on Aug. 15. 

None Above the Law – This California-bred gelding is trainer by Jorge Periban and he won the Bertrando Stakes in June, and was last seen landing the show in the California Dreamin’ on Aug. 3. He worked 5f in 1:00.80 (7/34) at Del Mar on Aug. 15.

Parenting – This unbeaten sophomore would be taking on older rivals if he runs in the Pacific Classic for Bob Baffert. He has not worked since winning a flat mile optional-claiming dirt race at Del Mar on July 28.

Reincarnate – Bob Baffert’s Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) runner-up was no match for Midnight Mammoth in a distant runner-up finish in the Cougar II last time. He fired a 6f bullet in 1:11.40 (1/4) on Aug. 10, and worked a fast 5f in 59.60 (1/78) on Aug. 17.   

Not running in Pacific Classic:

Arabian Knight – He is now targeting the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien at seven panels on Aug. 24. The Chosen Vron and Senor Buscador are also targeting that race. He won the Pacific Classic as a 3-year-old last summer, and returned from a long layoff and weakened to finish fourth in the San Diego. He has worked twice since his last start including a 5f move from the gate in 1:00.20 (9/78) on Aug. 17. If he performs well in the Pat O’Brien, he will move on to the Grade 1, $1 million California Crown at Santa Anita on Sept. 28.   

Subsanador – Originally mentioned as a Pacific Classic hopeful, but his trainer Richard Mandella opted to ship him to Monmouth Park for the Grade 3 Iselin at 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 17, and he stalked and scored by a length and a half as the 3-2 favorite.