Pacific Classic Probably Next for Blind Luck

Sorry about that, Saratoga. Maybe next time, Monmouth.

Saturday morning, Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer ruled out the contemplated East Coast trips for champion filly Blind Luck for the Personal Ensign or Molly Pitcher stakes. And while not making a complete commitment to the $1 million Pacific Classic, Del Mar’s signature event, Hollendorfer did cite it as the last possibility of the three races on Sunday, August 28, to which the 4-year-old filly had been nominated.

“We’re not going to New York. We’re not going to New Jersey,” Hollendorfer said. “If we run anywhere, it will be here.”

The 1 ¼-mile Classic, which drew 18 nominations and figures to have around a dozen names in the box when entries close and post positions are drawn on Wednesday, would be the first assignment against males for Blind Luck. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Pollard’s Vision has never been out of the money in 21 career starts, with 12 wins and earnings of $3,279,520.

She is 2-for-2 at the 1 ¼-mile distance and has been training well over Del Mar’s Polytrack surface since returning from a narrow victory over archrival Havre de Grace in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap on July 16.

Hollendorfer said the next major workout for Blind Luck would be Tuesday or Wednesday.

Considered probables for the Pacific Classic (with likely jockey assignments) are: Achak (Tyler Baze), Blind Luck (Garrett Gomez), Caracortado (Joe Talamo), Don Cavallo (Luis Contreras), Game On Dude (Chantal Sutherland), Jeranimo, Setsuko (Victor Espinoza), Stately Victor, Tres Borrachos (Rafael Bejarano), Twirling Candy (Joel Rosario), and Victory Pete. Considered Pacific Classic possibles, but with other race options, are: Acclamation, Bourbon Bay, Make Music For Me, Quindici Man and Victory Pete.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Craig Lewis, trainer of Quindici Man, received permission from the racing office to enter the 5-year-old son of Came Home in Wednesday’s $85,000 Harry F. Brubaker Stakes, which is run at 1 1/16 miles on turf, but retain the option to scratch from that race and run in the Pacific Classic.

“We put up the $300 (Classic nomination fee) and he is a true mile-and-a-quarter horse,” Lewis said. Quindici Man was a fast-closing third to Game On Dude, beaten only a half-length, at the distance on dirt in the Santa Anita Handicap.

“The problem is that he doesn’t like synthetics – that’s not a knock on the track it’s just that he’s better on dirt.”

Quindici Man will be put through a workout over the Polytrack on Sunday or Monday after which Lewis will consult with the owners from Six-S Racing Stables and make a decision.

Trainer Alexis Barba has two Pacific Classic nominees, Make Music For Me and Victory Pete. Saturday morning, by telephone from Los Angeles, she said she anticipated having “Probably one, but maybe none,” to saddle for the race.

Make Music For Me, winner of four of six turf assignments including a 1 1/16 mile allowance at Del Mar on July 30, is also nominated for the $200,000 Del Mar Handicap on the Pacific Classic undercard. Victory Pete, third in the Wickerr Handicap at one mile on turf on July 27, is also nominated for the $200,000 Grade II Del Mar Mile on August 27.

Barba said that the 3-for-5 record of Make Music For Me on grass and the 1 3/8 mile distance of the Del Mar Handicap would be factors to consider but, “otherwise I don’t have a preference.”