Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) features a pair of supporting
features, with Big John B (Hard Spun) making a title defense in the $250,000
Del Mar H.
(G2) and Bing Crosby (G1) winner Wild Dude (Wildcat Heir) attempting to
carry his form forward in the $250,000
Pat O’Brien
(G2).
Nine older horses will square off in the Del Mar H. at 1 3/8 miles on turf
and Big John B enters in good form for trainer Phil d’Amato, capturing a turf
starter handicap at Santa Anita before rallying to score in the July 24 Cougar
II (G3) on Del Mar’s main track. The reformed claimer recorded his first stakes
victory when posting a 5 1/4-length victory in last year’s edition and Rafael
Bejarano rides. Big John B will be facing a couple of formidable foes,
Ashleyluvssugar (Game Plan) and Finnegan’s Wake (Powerscourt).
Wild Dude, an 11-1 upset winner of the Bing Crosby, will likely go favored
for Jerry Hollendorfer in the five-horse Pat O’Brien. The five-year-old
registered a career-best 105 BRIS Speed rating for the 1 1/4-length decision and
keeps Flavien Prat up for Saturday’s seven-furlong test. Top challengers include
Appealing Tale (Tale of the Cat) and Kobe’s Back (Flatter).
For more on the Del Mar H. and Pat O’Brien, please visit the
TwinSpires Blog.
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