The Pacific Classic is always a strange race...from Dare and Go owning the last superhorse we've seen in Cigar to what looked like a dead favorite in Go Between winning last year. While I love Del Mar since its my home track, I have come to despise Pacific Classic day. 85% of Del Mar patrons know zero about the sport and while thats fine when there are 20k there on a normal day, Pacific Classic day is a big deal and draws 50k yet of these 50k...very few understand what the Pacific Classic is..most just consider it a second opening day and feel obligated to go for God know's what reason..
without ranting further, here are my selections for the big race which is run on closing weekend this year for another very strange reason which I can't grasp:
Winner: Informed 10-1 ML
While Rosario will take the jockey title because of Bejarano getting crippled, Tyler Baze has had the meet of his life. Informed is in top form and looked beautiful winning over this track about a month ago. This race is gonna set up for a closer and if Tyler stays patient he will have a lot to run at..Informed's kick will get him there.
Will be there: Colonel John, Rail Trip
After flopping in the Kentucky Derby, Colonel John keeps stepping up when it counts. This horse has won just about every race that matters outside Kentucky. His win in last year's Santa Anita Derby was still brilliant. So why do I give Informed the edge? GG. Gomez has had a terrible meet at Del Mar and was basically handed the jockey title when Bejarano went down opening day yet he continued to flop on monster favorites. If Colonel John is anywhere around his ML of 5/2 I will look elsewhere but you can't avoid him in exotics.
Speaking of brilliant performances, Rail Trip's Hollywood GC win was just that. He got an easy lead and just crushed a strong field that day. Heres the problem: Del Mar is not Hollywood...the surface is not even close; and if you have not run here yet you are in trouble, especially in a race of this distance. Rail Trip will hang as far as he can but will not hold off the calvary charge coming late.
Others to watch:
Einstein: Was a machine but he just looked bad in his last and I can't find a reason to draw a line through it. Add that to the fact he has never been to Del Mar which is a hard track to figure and he has a lot of work to do.
Song of Navarone: This horse is gonna eventually break out, just won't be today.
Awesome Gem: Will fly late and Solis knows about doing this in the PC (see Dare and Go)... I just think he is outmatched and there are too many closers who are better.
Tres Borrachos: Horse gets no respect and chased home Rail Trip in a race that Secretariat would have lost...once again the Del Mar angle comes into play but I think he needs to be played in exotics
The Play:
Win $$: Informed
Exacta Box Informed, Tres Borrachos, Colonel John, Song of Navarone
**** Trifecta: Informed with Colonel John, Tres Borrachos, Awesome Gem, Song of Navarone with ALL ****
Good Luck
without ranting further, here are my selections for the big race which is run on closing weekend this year for another very strange reason which I can't grasp:
Winner: Informed 10-1 ML
While Rosario will take the jockey title because of Bejarano getting crippled, Tyler Baze has had the meet of his life. Informed is in top form and looked beautiful winning over this track about a month ago. This race is gonna set up for a closer and if Tyler stays patient he will have a lot to run at..Informed's kick will get him there.
Will be there: Colonel John, Rail Trip
After flopping in the Kentucky Derby, Colonel John keeps stepping up when it counts. This horse has won just about every race that matters outside Kentucky. His win in last year's Santa Anita Derby was still brilliant. So why do I give Informed the edge? GG. Gomez has had a terrible meet at Del Mar and was basically handed the jockey title when Bejarano went down opening day yet he continued to flop on monster favorites. If Colonel John is anywhere around his ML of 5/2 I will look elsewhere but you can't avoid him in exotics.
Speaking of brilliant performances, Rail Trip's Hollywood GC win was just that. He got an easy lead and just crushed a strong field that day. Heres the problem: Del Mar is not Hollywood...the surface is not even close; and if you have not run here yet you are in trouble, especially in a race of this distance. Rail Trip will hang as far as he can but will not hold off the calvary charge coming late.
Others to watch:
Einstein: Was a machine but he just looked bad in his last and I can't find a reason to draw a line through it. Add that to the fact he has never been to Del Mar which is a hard track to figure and he has a lot of work to do.
Song of Navarone: This horse is gonna eventually break out, just won't be today.
Awesome Gem: Will fly late and Solis knows about doing this in the PC (see Dare and Go)... I just think he is outmatched and there are too many closers who are better.
Tres Borrachos: Horse gets no respect and chased home Rail Trip in a race that Secretariat would have lost...once again the Del Mar angle comes into play but I think he needs to be played in exotics
The Play:
Win $$: Informed
Exacta Box Informed, Tres Borrachos, Colonel John, Song of Navarone
**** Trifecta: Informed with Colonel John, Tres Borrachos, Awesome Gem, Song of Navarone with ALL ****
Good Luck