Sadler: Another horse may determine Tripoli’s immediate future

Pacific Classic upset winner Tripoli (6-1) was asleep in his stall at mid-morning Sunday at Del Mar.

Trainer John Sadler was inclined to leave the 1 1/4-length winner undisturbed the morning after the win, calling it a “good sign” while reflecting on what was his third Pacific Classic victory in the last four years for Hronis Racing.

Click here for Del Mar entries and results.

“I’m in the latter part of my career, and when you can win these big races, I feel very blessed,” Sadler said. “I’m not that old, I’m 65. But I’ve been around a long time, and I don’t feel like I’m in the middle part of my career, whether there’s two, five or 10 years left to go.”

As a “win and you’re in” qualifier for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 6, Tripoli is now assured a spot in the champion-making race that Sadler and Hronis won in 2018 with Accelerate.

Campaign planning for Tripoli will be put on hold at least temporarily.

“We’ll see how (stablemate) Rock Your World runs next Sunday,” Sadler said, referring to the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes. “They might be candidates for the same race. (Tripoli) could run once (before the Classic) or … whatever.”

For the stable of Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella, the momentum of victories by Forbidden Kingdom and Subconscious in earlier races did not carry over to Saturday’s stakes.

Tizamagician led for the first mile of the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic before finishing second to Tripoli. Royal Ship, the second wagering choice at just under 3-1, was a non-factor in seventh.

“A pretty good day. You’re never going to complain if you win two races on the day,” said Gary Mandella, deputizing for his father. “We had a really good second in the (Pacific) Classic with Tizamagician, but Royal Ship is a bit of a mystery. We don’t know what went on with him except maybe the year has been a little bit tiring on him. We’ll listen to him and figure him out. He’ll tell us what to do.”