Twirling Candy Works a Strong Mile

With ownership partners Jenny Craig and Marty Wygod looking on from a grandstand box, potential Pacific Classic favorite Twirling Candy worked a mile in 1:37 4/5  over the main track Sunday morning with jockey Joel Rosario in the irons.

Twirling Candy, a 4-year-old son of 2003 Pacific Classic winner Candy Ride, broke off eight lengths behind a stablemate and finished five in front, making an inside move in the stretch.

“He looked smooth and comfortable, picked it up down the stretch and galloped out a mile and an eighth in 1:50,” trainer John Sadler said. “He’s a big horse and to run a mile and a quarter on this track, you have to be relaxed and you have to be good.

“I’m happy with the preparation.  This seems to be a good spacing (between races). It’s 50 days between the Hollywood Gold Cup and this race, which seems to be good spacing for him.”

Rosario has the mount in the Pacific Classic.

In other Pacific Classic news:

Trainer Doug O’Neill said that Achak, a $40,000 claim from winning the seventh race on August 13, will not be entered in the Classic as previously announced and instead will be pointed toward the $85,000-added, one mile Windy Sands Handicap on Saturday, September 3.

“After things calmed down a little and we thought about it some more, the Classic seems like a bit much and we’re leaning toward the Windy Sands,” O’Neill said.  “The Pacific Classic looks very tough.”

Tyler Baze has the mount.

Pacific Classic-targeted Jeranimo worked five furlongs in 1:01 2/5  under jockey Martin Pedroza and was given the only “breezing” (under some restraint) designation by clockers of 189 main track works.

Victory Pete, nominated for both the Classic and the Del Mar Handicap, worked six furlongs in 1:12.80 for trainer Alexis Barba. Barba said no decision has been made regarding Victory Pete or her other Pacific Classic nominee, Make Music For Me.

Make Music For Me is also nominated to the Del Mar Mile. Rafael Bejarano is the rider for both Victory Pete and Make Music For Me.

Eddie Read Stakes winner Acclamation is scheduled for a workout Monday morning that, owner Bud Johnston said, would determine a Pacific Classic or Del Mar Handicap start. Hall of Famer trainer Neil Drysdale has Cougar II Handicap winner Bourbon Bay nominated for the same races.