DEL MAR NOTES

ALL ABUZZ ABOUT BEHOLDER AND PACIFIC CLASSIC POSSIBILITY

The excitement after Beholder’s victory in the Grade I $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes and possible next start in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic permeated Del Mar following the race Saturday evening and lingered through Sunday morning.

Especially at the place where it started, the stable of Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. Beholder’s connections – owner B. Wayne Hughes, Mandella and jockey Gary Stevens -- were all there at one time or another Sunday morning, still abuzz about Beholder and her Classic possibilities.

Hughes: “”I thought it was a fantastic race and I’m delighted. Richard did a perfect job bringing her up to the race in a professional manner. Richard never said a word to me (about the Pacific Classic). I was wishing the racetrack would get American Pharoah to come here and I would definitely go in that. But I know it would be difficult to get him. I hope we haven’t scared him off.”

Mandella: “I’ve been thinking about the Pacific Classic for quite awhile. She’s been winning the mare races pretty easily in my mind. So it’s time to try something stronger. The only problem is the three weeks (the Pacific Classic is August 22). She is a mare and she gives it a lot. It’s going to be a little close. If it were a month or more away, I would say we’d definitely go, but I want to make it clear it’ll depend on her.”

Immediately after the Hirsch, Mandella mentioned that the Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga ($750,000, Grade I, Saturday, August 29) was another possibility, but he was reluctant about shipping Beholder away from her California base before the Breeders’ Cup in late October at Keeneland. If more time is necessary, the Zenyatta ($300,000, Grade I, September 26) would likely be next for Beholder.

Stevens: “Richard had mentioned it (Pacific Classic possibility) to me, I suppose about three weeks ago. I just got a smile on my face and he could read my body language. That was one reason I didn’t let her gallop out much (Saturday) because I knew she was coming back in three weeks. It was all according to how she ran and what she put into it. I wanted a good last sixteenth of a mile and I usually let her gallop out as far as she wants to but yesterday I pulled her up just past the seven-eighths pole., knowing what he (Mandella) was probably thinking.

 “I’m excited. It will be a big challenge for her, but I think she’s up to it. (Mandella) has a lot of confidence in her and so do I. It’s time to take that step up.”


‘OUTSIDE CHANCE’ FOR ANOTHER MARE IN THE CLASSIC

Trainer Craig Lewis said that Hirsch third-place finisher Warren’s Veneda came out of the race in good shape.

Lewis also said there was “an outside chance” the 5-year-old California-bred mare, who chased Beholder home while conceding weight to the champion in the Adoration Stakes in June at Santa Anita as well as the Hirsch, would run in the TVG Pacific Classic.

“We’d get some pace, which we didn’t get yesterday,” Lewis said. “And we’ll finally get even weight (with Beholder).” The first quarter in the 1 1/16 mile Hirsch was run in :23.91, more than a half-second slower than that of an allowance optional $40,000 claimer that immediately followed.

In Lewis’ estimation the slow early pace compromised the chances of late-running Warren’s Veneda, who carried two pounds more than Beholder. In the Pacific Classic females are accorded a five-pound break in the weights. Beholder and Warren’s Veneda would both be assigned 119.

“I don’t know if we could beat Beholder under any circumstances, but it’s a $1 million race and we might give it a try,” Lewis said.

Jim Cassidy, trainer of Hirsch runner-up Yahilwa said he was pleased with her effort and the way she came out of the race. But no, the Pacific Classic is not in her future.


PACIFIC CLASSIC COUNTDOWN, FIRST EDITION, 20 DAYS AWAY

Beholder’s name can now be added to a list of five “probables” and seven 
“possibles” for the silver anniversary running of the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic on Saturday, August 22.
Considered probables are: Hard Aces, Catch a Flight, Red Vine, Hoppertunity and Imperative. Hard Aces won the Gold Cup at Santa Anita and Catch a Flight took the San Diego Handicap here on July 25.

Considered possibles are: Bayern, Moreno, Midnight Storm, Bailoutbobby, Appealing Tale and Big John B. Moreno (Eric Guillot trainer) and Red Vine (Christophe Clement) are nominated to the $1.25 million Whitney at Saratoga next Saturday. So are six horses trained by Todd Pletcher, at least one of which could be Del Mar bound.

Nominations for the Pacific Classic close on August 13.