Pacific Ocean scorches through Underwood

Last updated: 11/26/11 9:01 PM

Pacific Ocean put it all
together with an easy win in the Underwood
(Benoit Photos)

JMJ Racing Stables’ Pacific Ocean proved far too swift for his eight
challengers to pass in Saturday’s Grade 3, $100,000
Vernon O. Underwood Stakes
at Hollywood Park, ripping through a quarter in :21 2/5, a half in :43 3/5, and
then extending his margin to 2 1/4 lengths at the finish while completing six
furlongs over the Cushion Track in 1:08 2/5. Defeating a field that included
Grade 1 winners Euroears, M One Rifle and Comma to the Top, Pacific Ocean paid
$16.80, $8.60 and $6 as the 7-1 fifth choice.

“Even though he was going fast, he was pretty relaxed,” jockey Joel Rosario
said. “I tried to let him get away on the turn and he responded.”

Irrefutable, one of three entrants for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, made
up nearly eight lengths in the final quarter-mile to grab runner-up honors by a
half-length over M One Rifle, but unfortunately collapsed and died after being
unsaddled after the race.

“He was heading back and everything looked okay,” Baffert said. “He ran
great. After he was unsaddled, he took about 10 steps. We thought he was having
a heat stroke. He must have had a heart attack.”

Irrefutable was neck in front of 8-5 favorite Euroears, whose failure to grab the lead played a big part in his defeat. Quiet
Invader, who chased the winner in second until the eighth pole, finished fifth
and was followed by Carbonite, Canonize, Shediak and Comma to the Top, who was
making his first start since running last in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby in May.

Pacific Ocean relished the
new scenery in his California debut
(Benoit Photos)

The lightly-raced Pacific Ocean was trained by Wayne Catalano prior to
joining the Mike Mitchell barn this fall. He made a winning debut at Arlington Park
in August 2010, registering a 3 1/2-length win over 6 1/2 furlongs. He
maintained his unbeaten streak winning a seven-furlong Keeneland allowance by
four lengths in October of that year, then easily captured another allowance at
the same venue this past April. Pacific Ocean made a belated run to finish
second in his stakes debut, the Grade 3 Hanshin Cup at Arlington, on May 21, but
was a dull seventh after a wide journey in the July 20 Bold Venture Stakes at
Woodbine in his most recent outing. His record now stands at 6-4-1-0, $153,199.

“The owners live in California and they decided they want to run some horses,
so they brought some here from back east,” Mitchell said. “They picked me out as
a trainer and it worked out great.”

Produced by the unraced Unbridled mare Miss Salsa, Pacific Ocean is a
half-brother to the English stakes-placed Salsa Star. Miss Salsa herself is a
half-sister to Group 3-winning sire Mutakddim and the Group 1-placed Smooth
Charmer, the dam of Grade 3 winner Sea Chanter. Grade 1 winner Frost Giant and
and South African Group 1 winner Kavanagh.

Pacific Ocean counts as a third dam the Grade 1 winner Dance Number, who
reared 1989 juvenile colt champion Rhythm. Her descendants include Kentucky
Derby winner Super Saver and Grade 1 scorers Girolamo and Bluegrass Cat, among
other notable performers. Pacific Ocean’s fourth dam was 1971 juvenile filly
champion Numbered Account, who produced noted sire Private Account.

Bred in Kentucky by Swordlestown Stud, Pacific Ocean cost $300,000 as a
Keeneland September yearling.