The Pacific Classic (G1) isn’t the only Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” at Del Mar on Saturday. Two of the four undercard stakes are also part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge program — the $300,000 Del Mar H. (G2), offering a ticket to the Turf (G1), and the $150,000 Green Flash (G3), furnishing a spot in the Turf Sprint (G1).
Del Mar H. (G2): Race 5, 6:32 p.m. ET
Argentine import El Encinal is already in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, thanks to his upset victory in last December’s Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional (G1). Described as South America’s version of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1), the Pellegrini was the first “Win and You’re In” for the 2024 championships.
El Encinal has connections in common with 2012 Breeders’ Cup Marathon (G2) hero Calidoscopio. Likewise owned by Donia Pancha, he was trained by Guillermo Frenkel in Argentina. El Encinal shipped to Southern California to join Mike Puype, who also took over Calidoscopio’s training when he remained stateside after the Breeders’ Cup. Because Puype has been provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit, his assistant, Francisco Garcia, is now the trainer in charge.
With a series of works going back to May 4, El Encinal has built up a foundation for his U.S. debut in the 1 3/8-mile Del Mar ‘Cap. But it’s a real test off an 8 1/2-month layoff. Armando Ayuso picks up the mount.
Trainer Phil D’Amato, who has won the Del Mar ‘Cap eight times in the past 10 years, looks to maintain his dominance. D’Amato has both quantity and quality, with three entrants in the eight-horse field. Two-time defending champion Gold Phoenix, only seventh in the 1 1/8-mile Eddie Read (G2), stands to improve on the step up in trip. Stablemate Balnikhov, a closing third in the Eddie Read, experiments with a longer distance, while Rockemperor shortens up from his close second in the San Juan Capistrano (G3).
Other contenders include multiple Grade 2 veteran Master Piece, runner-up in the 2021 and 2022 editions of this race; Dicey Mo Chara; likely pacesetter Balladeer; and There Goes Harvard, who is cross-entered to the Pacific Classic. All four raced in the Eddie Read, where the honest Dicey Mo Chara collected another minor award in second, Master Piece finished fourth, Balladeer faded to eighth, and There Goes Harvard trailed in ninth.
Green Flash H. (G3): Race 9, 8:39 p.m. ET
D’Amato holds a similarly strong hand in the Green Flash, contested over the same five-furlong trip as the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Leading his quartet is defending champion Motorious, who hopes that a return to Del Mar will revive his fortunes. California-bred mare Connie Swingle defied a 21-month absence to win the course-and-distance Daisycutter H. on July 27. Turn on the Jets, fourth in last year’s running, and Unconquerable Keen round out Team D’Amato.
Wesley Ward’s shipper No Nay Hudson provides additional intrigue, especially with leading rider Juan Hernandez aboard. Also noteworthy among the 12-strong cast are Johnny Podres, Fast Buck, Sassy Nature, and Mo Gold, a well-bred son of Uncle Mo who makes his stakes debut for Jeff Bonde.
Del Mar Mile (G2): Race 11, 9:45 p.m. ET
With the circuit’s leading turf miler, Johannes, freshening up for the Sept. 28 City of Hope Mile (G2) at Santa Anita, the $300,000 Del Mar Mile (G2) serves as an opportunity for the rest of the local brigade.
Chief among them is Bob Baffert’s Du Jour, the reigning titleholder who rolled to an impressive victory over Exaulted here a year ago. Du Jour has since added the March 3 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) to his resume. Subsequently beaten twice by Johannes, when third in the Shoemaker Mile (G1) and sixth in the Eddie Read, Du Jour is the one to beat back at a mile without Johannes.
The ubiquitous D’Amato is triple-handed with last year’s Del Mar Derby (G2) hero Conclude and third-placer Almendares as well as Juddmonte castoff Halfway Line. Conclude and Almendares prepped by finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, in the July 21 Wickerr S. Halfway Line rallied smartly in an entry-level allowance over this course and distance.
The top three from the Wickerr — First Peace, Astronomer, and Flashiest — also renew rivalry. Astronomer’s career high came in the 2021 Golden Mile here as a juvenile, so he could be rounding back into form for Simon Callaghan. San Francisco Mile (G3) upsetter Lammas and veteran Irideo complete the field.
Torrey Pines (G3): Race 4, 6 p.m. ET
Kicking off the Pacific Classic Day stakes action is the $150,000 Torrey Pines (G3) for three-year-old fillies going a mile on dirt. Baffert, a seven-time winner of this race, has the leading players in stakes debutante Hope Road and multiple Grade 2 vixen Nothing Like You. Hope Road, who’s crushed a pair of sprints by more than 10 lengths combined, is out of Marley’s Freedom, a Grade 1 winner for Baffert.
John Sadler, another with seven Torrey Pines trophies, employs the turf-to-dirt angle with Soho. George Papaprodromou does likewise with Omaha Girl, who sports two wins on dirt as a juvenile.
The Doug O’Neill-trained Desert Rhapsody has been a different filly since stretching out to a mile, and Cal-restricted stakes vixen Grand Slam Smile warrants respect for her consistency in various conditions.
