Pacific Classic 2014 Tidbits

We read through the press kit for the 24th running of the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic and skimmed the record book (to  save you time and bother, no thanks necessary) and came up with the following tidbits, in post position order:

If Irish Surf wins: Jockey Elvis Trujillo would become the sixth rider in history to win with a first mount.  Patrick Valenzuela took the inaugural Classic with Best Pal, Garrett Gomez won with Skimming in 2000, Mike Smith with Came Home in 2002, Julie Krone with Candy Ride in 2003 and Richard Migliore aboard Student Council in 2007 … Krone and Migliore retired with perfect, 1-for-1 Pacific Classic records.

If Imperative wins: Would get jockey Kent Desormeaux back to the Pacific Classic winners’circle for the first time in 22 years that have encompassed nine mounts, the most recent in 2005 … Desormeaux was second aboard Twilight Agenda in 1991, won with Missionary Ridge in 1992 and had another second and three third-place finishes before relocating to the Midwest and East the last eight years.

If Ice Cream Truck wins:  Tiago Pereira would become the sixth rider to have a race debut win (See Elvis Trujillo, Irish Surf) … Ice Cream Truck would be the first Pacific Classic winner sired by a Pacific Classic winner. Pleasantly Perfect was victorious in 2004 … Would be the lowest-priced former claiming purchase ($20,000 this spring) to win. Lava Man was taken for $50,000 at Del Mar three years before his Classic triumph.  

If Game On Dude wins: He would become the fourth to repeat as champion joining Tinners Way (1994-95), Skimming (2000-2001) and Richard’s Kid (2009-2010) …Bob Baffert would move within one of Bobby Frankel (6) for the most victories by a trainer … Baffert is already second to Frankel for number of starters with 17 to Frankel’s 19.

If You Know I Know wins:  You Know I Know would become the fifth gelding to win, following Best Pal (1991), General Meeting (1999), Lava Man (2006) and Game On Dude (2013)

If Majestic Harbor wins: The Gold Cup at Santa Anita winner would become the fourth to follow up a Gold Cup victory with one in the Pacific Classic. Gentlemen (1997), Lava Man (2006) and Game On Dude (2013) took the Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park.

If Toast of New York wins: He would become the first international shipper to win the race and the fifth 3-year-old to defeat elders. Best Pal, General Challenge, Came Home and Dullahan were the others.

If Clubhouse Ride wins: It would be a crowning achievement and reward for persistence for a horse that has finished second to Game On Dude three times and Majestic Harbor once in major stakes the last 18 months while accumulating earnings of  over $1 million.

If Mystery Train wins: He would become the third Argentine-bred to win the Classic, following Gentlemen (1997) and Candy Ride (2003) and the first to do so in an initial U.S. start.

If Shared Belief wins: He would become the fifth 3-year-old to prevail (See Toast of New York) and the first to follow an Eclipse Award 2-year-old season with a Pacific Classic victory.

WHAT’S IN A NAME -- The Grade I $1 million TVG Pacific Classic was inaugurated in l991 as Del Mar’s signature event of the summer season, contested at the American championship distance of a mile and one-quarter. Three-year-old Best Pal won the first running for breeder and owner John and Betty Mabee of  Golden Eagle Farm.

STRONG ‘BELIEF’ FROM ‘EXPERTS,” BUT ‘SURF’S UP FOR SOME 

A sampling of TVG Pacific Classic selections from an eclectic group of “experts” randomly chosen based mainly on availability and willingness to participate. (In a similar poll in 2013, 10 out of 20 correctly selected Game On Dude.

Doug O’Neill, trainer – Irish Surf. “Dan Hendricks shocks the world.”

Gary Stevens, Hall of Fame jockey – Shared Belief.  “But I also like Majestic Harbor a lot.”

Jeff Bloom, owner – Shared Belief.

Richard Mandella, Hall of Fame trainer – Shared Belief. “A fresh face and a really good horse.”

Peter Eurton, trainer – Game On Dude. “I’m rooting for the old guy, but my daughter’s pick is the South American horse (Mystery Train).

Madeline Auerbach, CHRB member – Clubhouse Ride. “If I’m picking with my heart, I’d love to see him win.”

Harris Auerbach, horse owner – Shared Belief.

Art Sherman, trainer – Shared Belief. “He was in my barn for the Los Alamitos Derby. He’s a nice horse and Jerry (Hollendorfer) and I have been friends for years.”

Steve Andersen, Daily Racing Form – Majestic Harbor. “He’s in excellent form.”

Matt Dinerman,  Press Box Steward, -- Shared Belief. “He’s the real deal.”

Phil D’Amato, trainer – Irish Surf.

Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times – Shared Belief. “The 3-year-olds are better than a lot of people think and Mike Smith knows what he’s doing.”

Jim Cassidy, trainer – Shared Belief. “I’d like to see Mike Smith win something.”

Jeff Reichert, clocker – Majestic Harbor.

Toby Turrell, clocker – Shared Belief.

Brad Free, Daily Racing Form – Game On Dude. “In pace-pressing/front-running fashion.

Jeff Nahill, syndicated and UT San Diego handicapper – Majestic Harbor. “I see a pace meltdown up front and he gets the benefit.”

Art Wilson, Los Angeles Daily News/ Daily News Group – Majestic Harbor. “He’s got a good post and it looks like he can get a good trip.”

Michael Hepworth, turf writer – Shared Belief.

Ed Zieralski, UT San Diego -- Irish Surf.

Jay Privman, Daily Racing Form – Mystery Train.

Source: Del Mar