Arabian Knight edges Geaux Rocket Ride in Pacific Classic

Favored Arabian Knight turned the tables on his Haskell conqueror Geaux Rocket Ride with a front-running victory in Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar.

The Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo was making just the fourth start of his career in the 1 1/4-mile race on the main track for 3-year-olds and up, a fact that Baffert said worried him but not enough to scare him off.

"I had a pretty good foundation into him," he said. "... I'm glad that he won the race and he's proved he's the horse we always thought he was."

Ridden by Flavien Prat, who had three wins on the card, Arabian Knight punched his ticket to the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 4 at Santa Anita with his victory in the win-and-you're-in race.

Arabian Knight broke alertly from the 9 post and briefly dueled with Geaux Rocket Ride and Mike Smith before the latter was taken back into a ground-saving stalking position in third as long shot Piroli moved up to put mild pressure the winner from the outside.

Arabian Knight cruised through fractions of 46.60 seconds and 1:11.42 on his own until the far turn, where Piroli began to tire and numerous pursuers moved into contention.

But Prat had plenty left in the tank and went to work on Arabian Knight entering the stretch, resulting in a burst of speed that quickly moved him away from his closest pursuer, Slow Down Andy. The only danger was Geaux Rocket Ride, who moved off the rail and began eating into Arabian Knight's lead.

He came up a neck short of catching his rival, who stopped the clock in 2:03.19. Slow Down Andy finished third. 

The winner returned $6.20 on a $2 win bet. The $1 exacta featuring the two favorites in the field of 10 paid $13.20.