Thursday tab: Geaux Rocket Ride drills ahead of Pacific Classic
Geaux Rocket Ride worked at Del Mar Thursday ahead of his Saturday start as the morning-line favorite in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic.
The Candy Ride colt went three furlongs in 37.4 seconds for trainer Richard Mandella. His win last out in the Haskell (G1) was the third victory in four career starts, and he was second in the San Felipe (G2) in his other start.
Facing older horses for the first time, Geaux Rocket Ride is the top early choice at 5-2, with fellow sophomore Arabian Knight the second choice at 3-1.
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Geaux Rocket Ride was one of a dozen graded-stakes winners with published works on Thursday.
Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride) a Grade 1 winner (2023 Haskell), worked three furlongs in 37.4 at Del Mar on Thursday morning. It was the eighth fastest of 23 works at the distance. His previous work was six days ago going seven furlongs at Del Mar. In his last start he won the Haskell (G1) going 1 1/8 miles on the main track at Monmouth Park on July 22 for trainer Richard E. Mandella.
Americanrevolution (Constitution) a Grade 1 winner (2021 Cigar Mile Handicap), worked four furlongs in 49.3 at Saratoga on Thursday morning. It was the 13th fastest of 42 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed fourth in the Evan Shipman Handicap going one mile on the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 11 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Astronaut (Quality Road) a two-time Grade 2 winner (2022 Red Smith 2021 Del Mar Handicap ), worked four furlongs in 51.1 at Belmont Park on Thursday morning. It was the 20th fastest of 25 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In his last start he placed 10th in the Mac Diarmida (G2) going 1 3/8 miles on the turf at Gulfstream Park on March 4 for trainer Thomas Albertrani.
Haughty (Empire Maker) a Grade 2 winner (2022 Lake Placid), worked four furlongs in 49.0 at Churchill Downs on Thursday morning. It was the 15th fastest of 29 works at the distance. Her previous work was eight days ago going four furlongs at Saratoga. In her last start she placed fourth in the De La Rose going one mile on the turf at Saratoga on Aug. 2 for trainer Chad Brown.
Gigante (Not This-time) a Grade 2 winner (2023 Secretariat), worked five furlongs in 59.8 on turf at Colonial Downs on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of 4 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Colonial Downs. In his last start he won the Secretariat (G2) going one mile on the turf at Colonial Downs on Aug. 12 for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Spooky Channel (English Channel) a Grade 2 winner (2023 Muniz Memorial Classic), worked four furlongs in 48.8 at Ellis Park on Thursday morning. It was the third fastest of 10 works at the distance. His previous work was 11 days ago going four furlongs at Ellis Park. In his last start he placed ninth in the KY Downs Preview Turf Cup going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Ellis Park on Aug. 6 for trainer Jason Barkley.
Delight (Mendelssohn) a Grade 2 winner (2022 Jessamine), worked four furlongs in 47.6 at Turfway Park on Thursday morning. It was the second fastest of 23 works at the distance. Her previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Turfway Park. In her last start she placed fifth in the San Clemente (G2) going one mile on the turf at Del Mar on July 22 for trainer Jonathan Thomas.
Masen (Kingman) a Grade 3 winner (2022 Poker), worked three furlongs in 37.2 at Belmont Park on Thursday morning. It was the fifth fastest of 6 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going three furlongs at Belmont Park. In his last start he placed sixth in the Turf Mile (G1) going one mile on the turf at Keeneland on Oct. 8 for trainer Chad Brown.
Gear Jockey (Twirling Candy) a Grade 3 winner (2021 Turf Sprint), worked five furlongs in 1:00.4 at Keeneland on Thursday morning. It was the second fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was eight days ago going five furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed sixth in the Van Clief going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Colonial Downs on July 22 for trainer Rusty Arnold.
Cellist (Big Blue Kitten) a Grade 3 winner (2022 Louisville), worked five furlongs in 1:00.6 at Keeneland on Thursday morning. It was the third fastest of 12 works at the distance. His previous work was 12 days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In his last start he placed second in the KY Downs Preview Turf Cup going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Ellis Park on Aug. 6 for trainer Rusty Arnold.
Didia (ARG) (Orpen) a Grade 3 winner (2023 Modesty), worked four furlongs in 52.2 at Keeneland on Thursday morning. It was the 15th fastest of 15 works at the distance. Her previous work was 24 days ago going four furlongs at Keeneland. In her last start she placed second in the New York (G1) going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Belmont Park on June 9 for trainer Ignacio Correas IV.
Chaos Theory (Curlin) a Grade 3 winner (2020 Green Flash Handicap), worked four furlongs in 46.8 at Presque Isle Downs on Thursday morning. It was the fastest of 14 works at the distance. His previous work was seven days ago going four furlongs at Presque Isle Downs. In his last start he placed third in a claiming race going 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Santa Anita Park on May 27 for trainer Mike Puype.