Beholder with a breathtaking performance in the TVG Pacific Classic
The 25th rendition of the TVG Pacific Classic was billed as a day history was going to be made at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and that it was, and then some. In an absolutely sensational display of speed and stamina, the five-year old mare Beholder was never asked by Hall of Famer Gary Stevens as she defeated a field of ten in a jaw dropping exhibition at Southern California’s premier summer thoroughbred event. When asked on the far turn, the Spendthrift Farm runner put on a show for the over twenty-thousand in attendance in northern San Diego. When all was said and done, it was eight and a quarter lengths back to stablemate Catch a Flight in second. East Coast based Red Vine finished third, while Bob Baffert trained Hoppertunity finished fourth.
The ten-furlong million-dollar event began with 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern and Phil D’Amato conditioned Midnight Storm battling through quick early fractions of 22.36, 45.45 and 1:09.94. Hall of Famer Gary Stevens and Beholder stalked a few lengths off the early pace, just waiting to pounce. When the pacesetters began to slow down, the star filly swept to the front with complete ease and drew off to one of the most dominating stretch runs in the race’s history. In fact, the margin of victory was the second largest in Pacific Classic history after Game On Dude’s win in 2013. It was pure and utter domination displayed by the daughter of Henny Hughes.
In post-race commentary, Stevens was all smiles and full of compliments for the star mare. He declared, “She did that all on her own. I’ve never experienced anything like this before. He continued and spoke about her days and moments before the race, “The way she warmed up today and the way she was on Monday in her final workout. I’ve never walked into the starting gate in a $1 million race as confident. No nerves at all. Usually there is a matter of nerves involved into these races. Instead, she caused me to have a normal heart rate going in there and that’s how she ran.”
Normally a man of many words, Hall of Fame conditioner Richard Mandella entered the post-race conference and stated, “For one time I am speechless.” When asked the emotions he was feeling after watching Beholder dominate a group of older males he stated, “ When she made that move, it just took my breath away. I’m flabbergasted. I expected her to run well or I wouldn’t have put her in this race. But I didn’t think she’d beat those colts up like that.” Mandella did avoid the question of whether the Breeders’ Cup Classic is the next goal, but facing the boys and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the richest race in North America in the fall did not seem farfetched.
While Beholder stole the show, the other Mandella trainee Catch a Flight also ran well. He chased on the rail early, moved up outside on the second turn and used a four-wide move into the stretch to gain second place. When asked about his effort after the Classic, jockey Flavien Prat said, “He ran good. A very good race for him. The filly-she’s just too much.” Martin Garcia, jockey of fourth-place finisher Hoppertunity was also complimentary of Beholder stating, “I was in a good spot; right there with Beholder. Then she took off. She’s a freak, man. A freak.” Clearly, all involved were more than mesmerized by the effort from the winner. The first female winner of the Pacific Classic paid $6.00, $4.60 and $2.80. Catch a Flight paid $6.80 and $4.20. Red Vine paid $3.40 to Show. The $1 Trifecta 9-7-5 returned $90.30. The final time of 1:59.77 was just a bit off the stakes record set by 2003 victor Candy Ride (1:59.11.)
On a personal level, this was one of the most dominating and coolest moments I have ever witnessed. The mare not only exceeded my expectations, but blew me and the rest of the press box at Del Mar away. I truly hope we get to see her take on American Pharoah.