Accelerate, Arrogate on course for possible rematch in Pacific Classic

Accelerate and Arrogate, respectively the winner and stunningly surprising fourth-place finisher in the Grade II $300,000 San Diego Handicap on July 22, are on the same workout schedule for a possible rematch in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic on August 19.

Accelerate trainer John Sadler said the 4-year-old Lookin At Lucky colt would be put through his second workout since the San Diego on Monday morning. Ditto for Arrogate, who has more than $17 million in career earnings and retained his No. 1 ranking in North America despite the San Diego loss.

“I was going to go to a horse sale at Saratoga, but I’ve got to stay here and work the big horse,” Baffert said. “I’m going to miss out.”

Arrogate worked 4 furlongs in :47.20 and Accelerate the same distance in :48.60 on Tuesday.

Beholder went from the Clement L. Hirsch to the Pacific Classic the last two years, winning in 2015 and finishing second last year. But that’s not the path Sadler has charted for Hirsch winner Stellar Wind.

“We’re not going to nominate her,” Sadler said. “We’ll nominate Accelerate and Hard Aces and that will be it. That race comes up a little too quick. If I nominated her everybody would get excited. But we want to keep her against (fillies and mares).”

Baffert sent Danzing Candy out for a 4-furlong work under Dana Barnes. The winner of the Grade I San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita on July 1 is prepping for the Grade II $200,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes on August 26.