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Pacific Classic 2008 attracts 11 contenders! Go Between is favorite!
The 18th running of the $1 million Pacific Classic to be held on Sunday ( 24 August 2008 ) at Del Mar race track drew a talented and highly competitive field of 11 older horses.
The victor of the 1¼-mile Pacific Classic 2008 gets an automatic spot in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita race track on 25 October 2008 as part of the "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge. This makes the Pacific Classic truly an event worth watching.
All the Pacific Classic contenders will carry 124 pounds, according to weight-for-age conditions. The post position draw for the Del Mar race track extravaganza was held on Wednesday night. Here are the contenders, their respective post positions, jockeys, prospects and odds.
The $ 1,000,000 Pacific Classic
24 August 2008 (Sunday)
Del Mar Race Track
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Post |
Horse |
Jockey |
Comments |
M/L
Odds |
1 |
Awesome Gem |
Tyler Baze |
On the rail, it might be an uphill battle to improve on last year's runner-up finish. |
5-1 |
2 |
Mostacolli Mort |
Victor Espinoza |
A closer who seems to be in the throes of victory. This could be it! |
12-1 |
3 |
Zappa |
Alan Garcia |
Gate-to-wire victory in his last game proves he's got what it takes! |
15-1 |
4 |
Surf Cat |
David R. Flores |
Defeated by Well Armed in the San Diego Handicap. Has a good chance to get even. |
6-1 |
5 |
Barcola |
Corey Nakatani |
Early speed plus good post might work wonders. |
20-1 |
6 |
Go Between |
Garrett Gomez |
Great Post. Great form on Polytrack. Recent second-place streak somewhat distracting. |
3-1 |
7 |
Well Armed |
Aaron Gryder |
Won sharply on Polytrack and can display his A-game here. |
10-1 |
8 |
Mast Track |
Rafael Bejarano |
Gold Cup winner appears to be threat to all. |
6-1 |
9 |
Delosvientos |
Joel Rosario |
Speed in the early stages can make him big if he knows what to do with it. |
30-1 |
10 |
Student Council |
Shaun Bridgmohan |
Post might be a problem. Past year's record leaves lot to be desired. |
7-2 |
11 |
McCann's Mojave |
Julio A. Garcia |
Post could be a problem for this 8-year-old veteran. Quite a longshot. |
15-1 |
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Go Between, trained by Bill Mott, has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite. Jockey Garrett Gomez will be astride Go Between. He comes fresh from a three-race second-place streak after his victory in the Sunshine Millions. His wasn't able to catch Mast Track in the Hollywood Gold Cup and that creates certain doubts amongst observers in this race. Still, his strong form in the Polytrack surface was what installed him as the favorite in the Pacific Classic 2008.
Defending Pacific Classic winner Student Council has won eight of 29 career starts for $1.5 million. He's had but one win this year came in the Pimlico Special. He is fresh from a second-place finish to Commentator in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga race track. He disappointed many with his sixth-place finish in the Santa Anita Handicap but somewhat redeemed himself in the Pimlico Special. Student Council will aim to become the third horse to score back-to-back wins in the Pacific Classic.
Hollywood Gold Cup winner Mast Track seems to be the one of those to look out for in the Pacific Classic 2008. Trainer Bobby Frankel has won the Pacific Classic six times and Mast Track seems to be a worthy flagbearer for that record. Mast Track completed a 10-furlong run on Polytrack in 2:01.37. He has mostly displayed his grit on the turf and has won thrice. He ran six furlongs Aug. 17 in 1:11 2/5.
Awesome Gem breaks from the rail at Del Mar Race Track on Sunday. He has just won twice in 12 starts over the past two years. Still, he cannot be completely counted out.
Surf Cat came in second in the 1/16-mile Mervyn LeRoy Handicap at Hollywood Park race track on April 26. He has only ran once on Polytrack at 10 furlongs and was out of the money.
Barcola came in third in the June Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs race track. He set the pace in that race but his longevity in longer distances is still a question mark.
Delosvientos has won six of 11 starts in the last two years. He won three races consecutively for trainer Giuseppe Iadisernia, and won wide in the Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont Park race track on June 6.
Zappa, McCann's Mojave and Mastacolli Mort complete the field for the Pacific Classic 2008 at Del Mar race track. |
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