9/4/09
Last updated: 9/3/09 8:16 PM
 |
Colonel John will be making just his second start of 2009
(Benoit Photo) |
West Coast star COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow) and Midwestern-based EINSTEIN (Brz)
(Spend a Buck) head a cast of 12 serious horses named to run Sunday in Del Mar’s
$1 million
Pacific Classic (G1), the centerpiece of a Labor Day weekend stakes
bonanza at the seaside oval that features 11 black-type races.
At the gala draw ceremony for the 19th running of the 1 1/4-mile Classic held
at L’Auberge Inn in downtown Del Mar Wednesday evening, multiple Grade 1 winner
Colonel John drew post 6 in the big field and the role of morning line favorite
at 5-2. The Eoin Harty trainee exits a sharp two-length score in his belated
four-year-old debut, the grassy Wickerr S. at Del Mar on July 31. Garrett Gomez
will return to the saddle.
|
Santa Anita H. (G1) hero Einstein is next on the betting line at 7-2. Trained
by Helen Pitts-Blasi, the seven-year-old has won stakes on dirt, grass and
synthetic surfaces from coast to coast, and the well-built dark bay will be
seeking his sixth career Grade 1 victory when he breaks from post 10 beneath
regular jockey Julien Leparoux. Fifth in the Arlington Million (G1) most
recently, Einstein was purchased earlier this week by racing mogul Frank
Stronach for an undisclosed sum.
 |
Rail Trip is gunning for back-to-back Grade 1 wins
(Benoit Photo) |
RAIL TRIP (Jump Start) will enter the Pacific Classic off a superb
three-length win in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), and the Ron Ellis runner is
listed as the 4-1 third choice. The four-year-old gelding loves to win,
compiling an 8-6-2-0 record so far, and will look to keep his momentum going in
his most difficult class assignment yet. Jose Valdivia Jr., who has been up for
all eight starts, will ride.
PARADING (Pulpit), who recorded victories earlier this season in the Dixie S.
(G2) on turf and Ben Ali S. (G3) on Polytrack, will look to make amends for a
fifth as the favorite in the Hollywood Gold Cup, but he’ll need to do so from
post 11 on Sunday. Rafael Bejarano will pick up the mount for Shug McGaughey.
INFORMED (Tiznow) is an intriguing darkhorse from the Doug O’Neill shedrow. A
former claimer, the five-year-old upset his rivals in the Californian S. (G2)
three starts back and will enter the Pacific Classic off a victory in the San
Diego H. (G2) earlier this meet. Tyler Baze will guide him.
|
Swaps S. (G2) winner MISREMEMBERED (Candy Ride [Arg]) is the lone
three-year-old entered against older horses. Trained and co-owned by Bob
Baffert, who sent out one of the three sophomore winners of the Pacific
Classic in General Challenge (1999), the lightly raced colt has won three of his
last four starts, the lone setback being a second in the Affirmed H. (G3). He
posted a smart 1 3/4-length decision in the Swaps last out, stretching out
to nine furlongs for the first time, and will continue to try longer distances
for his newly inducted Hall of Fame conditioner. Victor Espinoza will retain the
mount.
All horses in the race carry 124 pounds, with the exception of Misremembered,
who will tote 118 as a three-year-old.
