Accelerate dominant in record Pacific Classic 2018 win
Fewer than three months out from the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Accelerate proved he’s the West Coast horse beat in this division by romping in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar.
The 5-year-old will get an expenses-paid trip to Churchill Downs as well by virtue of his victory in the “Win and You’re In” race.
Accelerate surged ahead entering the far turn and quickly opened up on six rivals, finishing a record 12 1/2 lengths clear in the 1 1/4-mile Del Mar meet feature.
It was well back to Pavel in second. Prime Attraction ran third. But none threatened the winner.
A son of Lookin At Lucky, Accelerate joined Lava Man and Game on Dude as the only horses to win each of the Santa Anita Handicap, Gold Cup and Pacific Classic in the same season.
The Hronis Racing charge did so Saturday with a new jockey, Joel Rosario, aboard after the recent morning training injury to jockey Victory Espinoza.
"My only nervous spot was Joel," trainer John Sadler said. "I said ride him like he's the best horse. Don't let anything cheap get in front of you. Stay in contact with the leaders. He did that, so I knew (Accelerate) would kick in good."
The final time was 2:01.83 for the 2/5 favorite.
Accelerate sat third, wide and in the clear, until making his move after early leader Roman Rosso clicked through opening fractions of 23.05 and 46.69.
This was the horse's first start since the May 26 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, though Sadler did enter Accelerate in the Grade 2 San Diego last month at Del Mar. He elected to scratch from that spot on race day.
"I don't want to run two of the best horses together," the trainer said.
Little did we know, at least until another big performance by a Hornis Racing/Sadler runner, Catalina Cruiser, that the barn is absolutely loaded right now.
"I'm going to keep them separated," Sadler added. "We've got the second-best horse in Catalina Cruiser. We've got the best horse in Accelerate. I just want to use them in different races."
Catalina Cruiser could appear next Sept. 1 in Saratoga's Grade 1 Woodward as a Breeders' Cup Mile prospect. Meanwhile, expect to see Accelerate in the Grade 1 Awesome Again on Sept. 29 at Santa Anita in a final prep for the Classic.
As with eventual Horse of the Year Gun Runner in 2017, Accelerate is proving better with age. He passed the $2 million mark in earnings while improving his record to 8-5-5 in 20 starts.
"We don’t get to see a lot of 5-year-old horses anymore," said owner Kosta Hronis. "So this was great that he was able to stay on the track for another year and really mature and get better, and that’s what he has done.
"I’m so happy for John Sadler. This is his first Pacific Classic win and for this horse to be a part of it is such an honor. We’re happy for us, of course, but we’re so happy for John. He’s done so much and he’s meant so much to us."