Wednesday, August 10
Fast main track and firm turf course. Three wire-to-wire winners on dirt (6f, 6f, 6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at five furlongs, a front runner at one mile, a patient runner at one mile, and and a stalker at 8.5f (rail at 30 feet).
Kent Desormeaux, Santiago Gonzalez, and Flavien Prat each booted home a pair.
Thursday, August 11
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (8f, 5.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at one mile, a patient runner at one mile, and and a stalker at five furlongs (rail at 30 feet).
Rafael Bejarano booted home a pair on turf. Mike Puype saddled two winners at one mile on dirt.
Friday, August 12
Fast main track and firm turf course. Only one wire-to-wire winner on dirt (5.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a patient runner at one mile, a stalker at one mile, and a patient runner at five furlongs (rail at 12 feet).
Norberto Arroyo Jr. booted home a pair.
Why Two stalked, pounced, and kicked away to win the Green Flash Handcap by a length and a half for Arroya/Machowsky. My top choice Richard's Boy was 2nd and 55-1 outsider Horse Laugh was up for the show.
Saturday, August 13
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners on dirt (5.5f, 6.5f). The winning turf course running styles were a stalker at 8.5f, a closer at 8.5f, and patient runner at eleven furlongs, and a front runner at nine furlongs (rail at 12 feet).
Santiago Gonzalez guided home four winners. Rafael Bejarano rode three winners and Tyler Baze booted home a pair.
Baffert first timer Big Gray Rocket took a ton of money in the 7th race but blew the break and ended up 2nd behind 14-1 LA-bred debut winner Superior Status (Baze/Mullins). One race later, Baffert the prize he really wanted when Klimt easily captured the G2 Best Pal Stakes over Big League and Thirstforlife.
Sunday, August 14
Fast main track and firm turf course. Two wire-to-wire winners at 5.5 furlongs on dirt. The winning turf course running styles were a front runner at five furlongs, a stalker at one mile, a front runner at one mile, and a stalker at one mile (rail at 12 feet).
Rafael Bejarano and Flavien Prat both booted home a pair.
Bob Baffert was at in again on Sunday with smart debut 2-year-old filly winner American Gal. Fellow first timer Partyinthepaddock was clearly second best and another Baffert firster Facts of Life was along for the show.
My Sunday Best Bet Majestic Heat did not have an easy go of it but she did hold on by a nose from the outside post in the Solana Beach Handicap. 14-1 longshot Tiz a Kiss just missed and second betting choice Singing Kitty checked in 3rd.
Pacific Classic Video Analysis
This is the race we have been waiting for! Defending champion Beholder will take on California Chrome and Dortmund in what figures to be an outstanding renewal of the Pacific Classic. The supporting stakes on Saturday are the G2 Del Mar Handicap and G1 Del Mar Oaks.
The G2 Del Mar Mile on Sunday, Aug 21 wraps up the biggest graded stakes weekend of the meet.
