Post positions, odds, jockeys for $1 million Pacific Classic

Led by morning-line favorite Express Train, a field of nine was entered for Saturday's $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, a Breeders' Cup "win and you're in" for the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic on the same track Nov. 6.

Express Train, winner of the San Diego Handicap (G2) on opening weekend of the meet for trainer John Shirreffs, has been tabbed as the 3-1 favorite. Royal Ship, who was third as the favorite in the San Diego, is the 7-2 second choice. Eastern invader Dr Post for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is next at 4-1.

One name not in the entry box was Rock Your World. The veteran of this year's Triple Crown has long been pointed for a return to turf in the $250,000 Del Mar Derby (G2) on Sept. 4, but trainer John Sadler last week told Horse Racing Nation the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic had been under consideration.

Express Train won the San Diego by a half-length when gamely holding off Pacific Classic rival Tripoli. In five starts this year, the 4-year-old Union Rags colt has not missed the board. He won the San Pasqual (G2) in January, was second by a half-length to Idol in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and was third in both the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and Hollywood Gold Cup (G1).

Express Train drew post 5 and will be ridden by regular rider Juan Hernandez, who enters this week’s action as the meet’s second-leading rider with 21 wins.

Dr Post comes west having won two of his three most recent starts. The 4-year-old Quality Road colt won the one-mile Westchester Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park in May, was never a factor when fifth in the June 5 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) also at Belmont, and won the 1 1/8-miles Monmouth Cup (G3) on July 17 most recently.

This will be Dr Posts first time going 10 furlongs. He will break from post 3 under Joel Rosario.

Royal Ship has emerged as one of California’s top older dirt horses this season for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. The Brazilian-bred won the Californian (G2) at Santa Anita in April, then came back to be beaten just a head by Country Grammer in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) prior to the San Diego.

Royal Ship, a 5-year-old Midshipman gelding, drew post 4 and will be ridden by Mike Smith.

Tripoli, by prominent turf stallion Kitten’s Joy, made his first 11 starts all on grass before finally switching to dirt for a second-level allowance at Santa Anita on June 19. He responded with a half-length victory and a career-high speed figure for trainer John Sadler.

In the San Diego, Tripoli was closing fast but came up a half-length short to Express Train. He will have an additional three-sixteenths of a mile to work with in the Pacific Classic.