$1,250,000 Travers Stakes (Grade 1) Saturday, August 23, 2014 Saratoga Racecourse – Saratoga Springs, NY NBC Sports, 4:30-6 pm ET live! The Travers has not been won by a deep closer in the last 10 years. No horse has won the Travers from more than four lengths off the pace at the half-mile pole, and eight of the last 10 winners have been within 2 ½ lengths of the lead at that point in the race. Only wire-to-wire winner past 10 years: Bernardini („06). Longshots in the gimmicks: Horses at better than 30-1 have captured 4 of the 9 Travers Trifecta spots in the last 3 years. Since back-to-back $2.70 winners (Bernardini, „06; Street Sense, „07), favorites have lost 5 of the last 6 Travers editions. Between 2004-„07, all 4 Travers winners won their previous start. In the 6 runnings since, including a dead-heat in 2012, only 2 of the 7 winners were victorious in their final start before the Travers. Seven of the last 10 Travers winners came out of the Jim Dandy. Five of those 7 won that race. Just 3 of the last 21 Travers favorites have finished worse than fourth. Verrazano finished seventh at 8/5 last year.
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Track Record: 2:00.00 (General Assembly, 1979) Travers Stakes Record: 2:00.00 (General Assembly, 1979) Most jockey wins: Eddie Arcaro, Braulio Baeza, Jimmy McLaughlin, Pat Day (4). Javier Castellano has 3 and can join the 4-win club. Most trainer wins: Winbert F. “Bert” Mulholland (5) Highest Win Mutuel: $53.50 (Adonis, 1945). Golden Ticket was 33-1 when winning the 2012 Travers, the longest shot to ever win the Travers, but due to his dead-heat with Alpha, his winning mutuel was just $26.80. Lowest Win Mutuel: $2.10 (Shut Out, 1942; Native Dancer, 1953) Largest Winning Margin: 22 lengths (Damascus, 1967) Smallest Winning Margin: Nose (nine times)
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Players’ Guides are researched, written and designed by Jeremy Plonk along with Brian W. Spencer and the Horse Player NOW team. Photographs by Eclipse Sportswire.
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BAYERN Record: 7 starts – 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third ($1,077,680)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: In search of a third straight graded stakes win that could put him in contention for the 3-year-old championship ballot. PAST PERFORMANCES: Back-to-back wins by 7+ lengths in G1 Haskell & G2 Woody Stephens. Haskell marked his first win beyond a mile (0-2 prior to that.) Flair for dominance – 4 wins by 34 lengths combined. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Sire Offlee Wild twice beat Funny Cide in G1 Suburban, G2 Mass Cap. Maternal grandson of „95 Ky Derby & Belmont winner Thunder Gulch. TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: Baffert won 2001 Travers with Haskell winner Point Given, who was the last horse to sweep both summer showcases. Last Haskell alum to win Travers was Summer Bird in 2009. Last west coast-based Travers winner – Colonel John 2008. Would be first horse ever to win Woody Stephens sprint & Travers. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Martin Garcia: 29-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico. 10th aboard Coil in 2010 Travers for Baffert, only mount in race prior. Trainer Bob Baffert: ‟09 Hall of Fame inductee is a 61-year-old native of Nogales, AZ. Owns 4: 1-0-1 mark in Travers, but 9th/10th last 2 bids. Owner Kaleem Shah: Native of Bellary, India, son of noted trainer in his native land (Majeed Shah, trainer of 2 Indian Triple Crown winners). Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
CHARGE NOW Record: 5 starts – 2 wins, 2 seconds ($103,400)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: He‟s younger brother to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, who bombed when 10th in his Travers bid. PAST PERFORMANCES: Runner-up, beaten by a head, in Curlin Stakes at Saratoga last out. Dull effort on sloppy track when 7th in the G3 Iowa Derby. Scored back-to-back wins this spring at Gulfstream and Belmont. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of 2-time Breeders‟ Cup Classic champ Tiznow, who is best known at stud for siring the likes of Well Armed and Colonel John. Dam Supercharger has produced Super Saver and Brethren. TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: Tiznow sired WinStar’s „08 Travers champ Colonel John. WinStar has sparkling 4: 1-2-0 Travers mark Mott is 2-time Travers runner-up (0-6 overall) with Vision And Verse ‟99 and Hold Me Back „09. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Junior Alvarado: 28-year-old native of Barquisimeto, Ven. 2nd generation rider came to US in ‟07; 3rd in ‟12 Travers (Fast Falcon). Trainer Bill Mott: 61-year-old native of Mobridge, SD, is a 1998 Hall of Fame inductee; 9-time BC winner; 3 Eclipse Awards as top trainer. Owner WinStar Farm: Versailles, KY breeding/racing operation founded in 2000; owned by Kenny Troutt; raced classic winners Drosselmeyer & Super Saver. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
COMMANDING CURVE Record: 9 starts – 1 win, 2 seconds, 2 thirds ($572,434)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: The Kentucky Derby runner-up seeks his first major victory. PAST PERFORMANCES: Winless in last 5 attempts, finishing off the board in the Belmont Stakes and Jim Dandy since running 2nd in the Kentucky Derby. Fourth, beaten 8-1/2 lengths, behind 3 Travers rivals in the Jim Dandy. Lone win came Nov. 30, 2013 in Churchill Downs maiden route. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED From final crop of New Orleans Handicap winner Master Command, who died after only 3 breeding seasons. His mother is actually named Mother, a quick sprint filly in her day. TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: Last Kentucky Derby runner-ups to win Travers were back-to-back in 1989 by Easy Goer, following Forty Niner in 1988. Stewart stablemate Golden Soul 8th here last year as Derby runner-up. Bridgmohan was 3rd in 2008 Travers aboard Pyro (2: 0-0-1). THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan: 35-year-old native of Spanish Town, Jamaica. 1998 Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockey. Trainer Dallas Stewart: 54-year-old McComb, MS native part of the D. Wayne Lukas training tree. 3rd in 2001 Travers with Dollar Bill. Owner West Point Thoroughbreds: Saratoga-based syndicate headed by former ranger Terry Finley. 8th in ‟08 edition (Macho Again). Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
KID CRUZ Record: 9 starts – 5 wins, 1 second, 1 third ($423,375)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Linda Rice can make history as first woman to saddle Travers champ. PAST PERFORMANCES: 4-time stakes winner, topped by a score in G3 Dwyer at Belmont. Third, beaten 6 lengths, by Wicked Strong & Tonalist in Jim Dandy. Claimed for $50,000 last November when winning on the class drop. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of 1999 Belmont and Travers hero Lemon Drop Kid, who at stud has produced Richard‟s Kid, Somali Lemonade and Lemons Forever. Half-brother to graded stakes winner Spellbound. TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: 4 female trainers in Travers since 1978, Rice‟s debut makes 5. Best finish by female trainer: 4th, Kathleen O‟Connell (Blazing Sword, 1997) 14 Travers winners have sired Travers winners; Lemon Drop Kid looks to become the 15th. Ortiz off board in last 2 Travers bids, makes 3rd straight appearance. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.: Trujillo Alto, P.R. native turned 22 on Aug 11. Began riding 2011, took Saratoga by storm with 3 G1 wins in 2012. Trainer Linda Rice: 50-year-old native of Racine, WI has won 4 leading trainer titles at NYRA, the 1st female ever to do so in 2009. Owner Vina Del Mar Thoroughbreds: Steven Brandt, semi-retired telecomm consultant, and Rick Boylan claimed colt for $50,000 and then sold a minority share back to breeder Black Swan Stable. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
MR SPEAKER Record: 9 starts – 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third ($945,880)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Phipps-McGaughey-Lezcano were here last year with Derby winner Orb and now come back with a more under-the-radar presence. PAST PERFORMANCES: 3-time graded stakes winner on turf/synthetic, capturing G1 Belmont Derby Invitational, G3 Lexington and G3 Dania Beach. 25/1 upsetter of G1 Belmont Derby Invitational over Adelaide, who returned to win last week‟s G1 Secretariat at Arlington. Chased and tired to be 7th in G2 Holy Bull in January, his only dirt try. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Sire Pulpit‟s sons: Tapit, Sky Mesa, Ice Box, Corinthian, Pyro et al. Dam Salute is a daughter of legends Unbridled and Personal Ensign. TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: McGaughey sharp 12: 3-2-4 Travers career mark, winning ‟89 Easy Goer, ‟90 Rhythm and ‟98 Coronado‟s Quest. Lezcano’s 3 Travers include 2nd Fly Down ’10 and 3rd Orb ‘13. Last Travers winners to prep on turf – Chief‟s Crown, ‟85 Tell Stakes. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Jose Lezcano: 29-year-old native of Chiriqui, Panama. 3-time Breeders‟ Cup winner piloting such greats as Royal Delta & Wise Dan. Trainer Shug McGaughey: 63-year-old Lexington, KY native earned Hall of Fame induction in 2004. Eclipse Award-winning trainer 1988. Owner Phipps Stable: 3rd generation racing legacy headed by Dinny Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club, he‟s raced 5 Eclipse champs. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
TONALIST Record: 6 starts – 3 wins, 2 seconds ($1,077,000)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Belmont Stakes winner looks for a second „major‟ to contest California Chrome for 3-year-old title, while Clement/Rosario debut in Travers. PAST PERFORMANCES: Runner-up at 4/5 odds in Jim Dandy to Wicked Strong in 1st Spa try. 9/1 upset winner of Belmont Stakes, advancing his career mark to 2for-2 over “Big Sandy,” having also won G2 Peter Pan locally. 1st or 2nd in all 5 starts this year, all in route races on the dirt. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Sire Tapit has taken this year‟s 3YO crop by storm also with Untapable, Tapiture, Constitution, Coup de Grace, Ring Weekend. From same female family as Horse of the Year Havre de Grace. TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: 29 horses won Belmont and Travers, the last was Summer Bird in „09. Belmont winners in Travers since 1970 own a 25: 7-5-3 mark. 2013 Travers winner Will Take Charge also exited a Jim Dandy 2nd. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Joel Rosario: 29-year-old native of Santo Domingo, D.R. 1 of only 2 jockeys to win Dubai World Cup/Ky Derby in same year (‟13). Trainer Christophe Clement: 48-year-old native of Paris, France. Trained turf champion Gio Ponti and is a 5-time BC runner-up. Owner Robert Evans: Industrial building businessman is brother of the late Edward Evans, both sons of Buckland Farms‟ Thomas Mellon Evans, who campaigned Pleasant Colony. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
ULANBATOR Record: 8 starts – 1 wins, 1 second, 3 thirds ($95,943)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Same jockey-trainer combo that upset the 2012 Breeders‟ Cup Classic with late bloomer Fort Larned. PAST PERFORMANCES: Twice G3 stakes-placed in the Dwyer at Belmont & Winn at Churchill. Lone win came by a nose in late March Gulfstream Park. Beat just 1 horse at 38/1 odds when 5th in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Sire Offlee Wild twice beat Funny Cide in G1 Suburban, G2 Mass Cap and he‟s also sired Bayern in this year‟s 3YO crop. Offlee Wild concluded career with a 5th in the Saratoga Breeders‟ Cup. Named for the capital city of Mongolia, which means “Red Hero.” TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: Every Travers winners since at least 1960 exited a top 4 finish in prep. Wilkes 0-2 in Travers (Warrior‟s Reward 5th, ‟09; Neck N‟ Neck 6th, ‟12). Travers debut for Hernandez and Charlston. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Brian Hernandez: 29-year-old native of Lafayette, LA; Eclipse Award-winning apprentice of „04. Won BC Classic on 27th birthday. Trainer Ian Wilkes: 49-year-old native of New South Wales, Australia. Longtime asst. to Carl Nafzger, he won ‟12 BC Classic w/ Fort Larned. Owner Mary Ann Charlston: Resident of Manchester Center, VT shows only 1 career victory with Equibase as an owner. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
V.E. DAY Record: 5 starts – 3 wins, 1 second ($159,010)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Hottest horse in this year‟s Travers with 3-race winning streak. PAST PERFORMANCES: Rallied from 8+ lengths back to win Curlin Stakes at Saratoga for his 3rd straight win. Curlin was his stakes debut. Last 3 wins have come on turf, fast dirt and sloppy dirt footings. Curlin Stakes was the first race on dirt in which he was entered. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Sire English Channel won Breeders‟ Cup Turf in 2007 among remarkable $5.3 million-earning career. English Channel‟s top offspring include Optimizer & The Pizza Man, the latter winning last week‟s American St. Leger at Arlington Park. TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: Curlin winners 0-2 in Travers (‟12 Street Life, 12th; ‟13 Romansh, 5th). Castellano redhot 6: 3-1-0 career Travers mark. Won with Benardini ‟06, Afleet Express ‟10 and Stay Thirsty ‟11. Jerkens perfect 1-for-1 in Travers (‟10 Afleet Express w/ Castellano). THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Javier Castellano: 36-year-old native of Maracaibo, Ven. Reigning Eclipse Champion jockey. Leading ‟14 US rider in wins/$$$. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens: 55-year-old Bay Shore, NY native and son of legendary trainer Allen. Saddled BC champs Artie Schiller, Corinthian. Owner Magalen “Maggie” Bryant: Renowned conservationist on board of directors of the WILD Foundation. Farm in Middleberg, Va. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
VIVA MAJORCA Record: 5 starts – 2 wins, 1 second ($73,390)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Owned by the belle of Saratoga Springs, Marylou Whitney, this would be one for the home team if he can spring the upset. PAST PERFORMANCES: Both career wins have come in sprints (Churchill allowance, Gulfstream maiden special weight). 4th in Saratoga‟s listed Curlin Stakes July 25 in first career stakes try. Has drawn the rail in 3 of his 4 career performances. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of Tiago, winner of 2007 Santa Anita Derby & Goodwood. Sire, Tiago, is younger brother to ‟05 Kentucky Derby champ Giacomo. TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: Marylou Whitney a perfect 1-for-1 in the Travers (Birdstone, ‟04). Wilkes 0-2 in Travers (Warrior‟s Reward 5th, ‟09; Neck N‟ Neck 6th, ‟12). Leparoux 4: 0-1-1 in Travers (2nd, Hold Me Back, „09). Like Golden Ticket in 2012, Travers would be his 1st stakes win. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Julien Leparoux: 31-year-old native of Senlis, France. Eclipse Award-winning jockey as both apprentice (2006) & journeyman (2009). Trainer Ian Wilkes: 49-year-old native of New South Wales, Australia. Longtime asst. to Carl Nafzger, he won ‟12 BC Classic w/ Fort Larned. Owner Marylou Whitney: 88-year-old philanthropist and socialite is a Saratoga Springs institution. Best known runners Birdstone, Bird Town. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
WICKED STRONG Record: 9 starts – 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third ($1,244,610)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: No horse has ever swept New York‟s 3YO showcases of the Wood, Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes. He‟s two-thirds of the way home. PAST PERFORMANCES: 2-time graded stakes winner of the Jim Dandy & Wood Memorial. 6: 3-1-1 in New York lifetime, 3: 0-0-0 outside of New York. Finished 4th in this year‟s Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of 2007 Kentucky Derby runner-up Hard Spun, whose offspring include Saratoga G1 10F winner Questing. Maternal grandson of 1999 Ky Derby & Preakness winner Charismatic. TRAVERS STAKES POINTS: Recent Jim Dandy-Travers sweeps: Alpha, Stay Thirsty, Street Sense, Bernardini, Flower Alley just since 2005 (5 of last 9). Trainer Jimmy Jerkens upset 2010 Travers with Afleet Express at 7/1. Sire Hard Spun opted not to run in Travers, cutting back to win sameday King‟s Bishop in 2007. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Rajiv Maragh: 29-year-old native of Kingston, Jam. Won 2011 BC Dirt Mile on Caleb‟s Posse. Won last week‟s G1 Sword Dancer. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens: 55-year-old Bay Shore, NY native and son of legendary trainer Allen. Saddled BC champs Artie Schiller, Corinthian. Owner Centennial Farms: Beverly, MA-based partnership headed by Don Little, Jr. Won Belmont Stakes with Colonial Affair in 1993. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
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$1,000,000 Pacific Classic (Grade 1) Sunday, August 24, 2014 Del Mar Thoroughbred Club – Del Mar, CA NBC Sports Network, 8-9 pm ET live! All Trends are for Polytrack editions 2007-2013 - Talented speed can be dangerous. Game on Dude and Acclimation both won the Pacific Classic wire-to-wire, and they were bet at 8/5 and 4/1, respectively. It takes sharp speed to win the Pacific Classic, as the five other runnings had winners who rallied from an average of eighth place at the half-mile pole. - On the other hand, cheap speed is not dangerous. The other five pacesetters in the Polytrack era have finished 10th, 7th, 11th, 10th, and 9th, beaten an average of 13 ½ lengths at average odds of 36/1. - Game on Dude and Acclimation are the only two Pacific Classic winners in the Polytrack era to have won their previous start. - Bob Baffert has won three of the last five runnings of this race. - A runner has finished in the Exacta from more than seven lengths off the early pace in six of the last seven years, and deep closers have accounted for half of the Superfecta finishers in that timeframe. - Two of the last seven Pacific Classic winners prepped outside of California (Dullahan, 2012; Student Council, 2007) - Post-time favorites have won the Pacific Classic twice in the last seven years, but they have also run out of the money twice. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
Track Record: 1:59.54 (Dullahan, 2012) Pacific Classic Stakes Polytrack Record: 1:59.54 (Dullahan, 2012) Most jockey wins: Garrett Gomez (4), Mike Smith (3) Most trainer wins: Bobby Frankel (6) Highest Win Mutuel: $81.20 (Dare And Go, 1996) Lowest Win Mutuel: $3.00 (Gentleman, 1997) Largest Winning Margin: 8 ½ lengths (Game On Dude, 2013) Smallest Winning Margin: Head (Acclamation, 2011)
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Players’ Guides are researched, written and designed by Jeremy Plonk along with Brian W. Spencer and the Horse Player NOW team. Photographs by Eclipse Sportswire. Look for exclusive Breeders‟ Cup Challenge Players‟ Guides!
Aug. 30: Sept. 27: Oct. 4-5:
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CLUBHOUSE RIDE Record: 38 starts – 5 wins, 9 seconds, 10 thirds ($1,320,132)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: He‟s the “other” son of Candy Ride in Classic besides Shared Belief. PAST PERFORMANCES: Won G2 Californian at Santa Anita in May for his 1st win since capturing that same race a year prior in 2013. Only other stakes win came in 2010 Barretts Juvenile at Fairplex. 12 times he‟s been 2nd or 3rd in stakes, including 2013 Santa Anita Handicap and 2014 Santa Anita Gold Cup, his most recent start. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of the unbeaten Argentine import Candy Ride, who went 6-for-6 in his career and set Del Mar‟s 1 ¼ miles track record on dirt. Candy Ride has sired 8 G1 winners, but Clubhouse Ride is his highest $ earner lifetime. Also: millionaires Sidney‟s Candy & Misremembered. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: Sire Candy Ride won the 2003 Pacific Classic in his final start. Joe Talamo is 4: 0-0-0 in Pacific Classic (4th last year Richard‟s Kid). 2nd Pacific Classic starter for trainer Craig Lewis. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Joe Talamo: 24-year-old native of Marrero, LA won Santa Anita‟s first summer meet title in 2014; riding pro since ‟06 at age 16. Trainer Craig Lewis: 67-year-old old Los Angeles native. His Cutlass Reality beat Ky Derby champs Ferdinand & Alysheba in Hol Gold Cup. Owner Six-S Racing & Nikolas Patralia: Murrey Seidner is an auto dealer; Patralia is a advertising/marketing exec. Both Glendora, CA. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
FRAC DADDY Record: 18 starts – 5 wins, 6 seconds ($686,036)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: 2-time graded stakes winner this year on Polytrack comes west. PAST PERFORMANCES: Scored G2 Eclipse at Woodbine and G3 Ben Ali at Keeneland in 2014. 4th as 2/1 beaten favorite in G2 San Diego, his local Del Mar prep. 16th in 2013 Kentucky Derby and 14th in that year‟s Belmont Stakes. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Sire Scat Daddy won G1 Champagne at 2, G1 Florida Derby at 3. At stud, Scat Daddy best known for UAE Derby winner Daddy Long Legs and graded stakes winning turfer Daddy Nose Best. Maternal grandson of the great Skip Away, ‟97 BC Classic champ. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: Shippers have won 3 of 7 Pacific Classics in the Polytrack era (Go Between, Student Council and Dullahan). Pacific Classic debut for trainer Kenny McPeek. Alan Garcia 4th in only prior Pacific Classic mount (Zappa, 2008). Last Pacific Classic winner to exit San Diego H–Pleasantly Perfect ‟04. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Alan Garcia: 28-year-old native of Lima, Peru. 3rd generation jockey upset the 2008 Belmont Stakes with front-running Da‟Tara. Trainer Kenny McPeek: 52-year-old Fort Chaffee, AR native. Upset ‟02 Belmont with Sarava; came west to win G1 Hol Starlet in 2012. Owner Magic City Racing: Carter Stewart / Ken Schlenker from Billings, MT; oil & gas businessmen. Won ‟12 Travers (Golden Ticket). Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
GAME ON DUDE Record: 33 starts – 16 wins, 7 seconds, 1 third ($6,438,893)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: A victory puts him over $7 million lifetime, 1 of 7 US-based horses alltime to reach that plateau and would surpass Silver Charm ($6.9M) and Captain Steve ($6.8M) as Baffert‟s highest career money earner. PAST PERFORMANCES: 3-time winner of Santa Anita Hcp, 2-time winner of Hollywood Gold Cup & defending champ in Pacific Classic. Major wins at ages 3-7. 7-year-old is just 1-for-6 since winning last year‟s Pacific Classic. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of 1998 Breeders‟ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again. Awesome Again‟s honor roll of offspring also includes Ghostzapper. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: 3 prior back-to-back winners – Tinners Way, Skimming, Richard‟s Kid. Baffert owns 3 of 7 PC wins in Poly era (Richard‟s Kid twice, „Dude). Baffert‟s 4 Pacific Classic wins trail only Bobby Frankel‟s 6. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Martin Garcia: 29-year-old native of Veracruz, Mexico. Rides Bayern for Baffert in Saturday‟s G1 Travers at Saratoga. Trainer Bob Baffert: ‟09 Hall of Fame inductee is a 61-year-old native of Nogales, AZ. 16 Pacific Classic starters 2nd only to Frankel‟s 19. Owner Diamond Pride LLC, Lanni, Schiappa et al: Diamond Pride is baseball great Joe Torre; Terry Lanni is ex-CEO of MGM Mirage; Schiappa is a retired Vegas auto dealer. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
ICE CREAM TRUCK Record: 17 starts – 2 wins, 7 seconds, 3 thirds ($78,200)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Trainer A.C. Avila known for crazy longshots and surprising results. PAST PERFORMANCES: 3 in the G3 Cougar II Handicap in his stakes debut last month, beaten 10 lengths at 14/1 by Pacific Classic rival Irish Surf. Overmatched on class, he took 14 tries to break his maiden and has only 2 wins in claiming races for $20,000 and $25,000 pricetags. rd
PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of Pleasantly Perfect, winner of the Breeders‟ Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup and 2004 Pacific Classic. At stud, Pleasantly Perfect best known for Breeders‟ Cup champ Shared Account, as well as Setsuko and Nonios. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: 10 anniversary of his sire Pleasantly Perfect‟s win in this race. Avila is 5: 0-0-0 in past Pacific Classic bids. 1st Pacific Classic ride for Pereira. Tries to follow Richard‟s Kid (‟10) from Cougar II 3rd to Pac Classic 1st. th
THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Tiago Pereira: 37yo Brazilian won ‟10 Dubai World Cup on Gloria de Campeao. Began riding this year in US w/ 30 wins to date. Trainer A.C. Avila: 60-year-old Brazil native; only US G1 winner Global Hunter (‟09 Eddie Read); came to US to train in 1990. Owner Seacoast Racing LLC: Located Upland, CA; began in 2012. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
IMPERATIVE Record: 17 starts – 3 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds ($1,194,870)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: $50,000 claim in December has earned $1.1 million since that time. PAST PERFORMANCES: 26/1 upset of $1.5M G2 Charles Town Classic over Game On Dude. Stakes-placed in G2 San Antonio and G1 Santa Anita Gold Cup in ‟14. Went 2-for-10 for Eoin Harty/Darley Stable to open career pre-claim. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of 2006 Preakness/Travers winner Bernardini, who has gone on to sire the likes of Stay Thirsty, Alpha and To Honor and Serve. Half-brother to elite national sprinter Battle Won. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: Desormeaux won ‟92 PC aboard Missionary Ridge, 0-9 since then. Looks to follow Game On Dude‟s 2013 sweep of the Charles Town Classic and Pacific Classic. Last Pacific Classic winner to exit off-the-board prep was Dullahan in 2012, who was 5th in the Haskell prior. Last Pacific Classic winner to exit San Diego H–Pleasantly Perfect ‟04. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Kent Desormeaux: ‟04 Hall of Fame inductee is 44yo native of Maurice, LA. 1 of 4 jocks to win Eclipse as apprentice & journeyman. Trainer George Papaprodromou: 38-year-old from Cyprus; 43 career wins since starting in „03; C-Town Classic his only graded stakes win. Owner KM Racing Enterprise: Kenji Morinaga of Arcadia, CA. 47year-old has raced horses for just 1 year; owns employee leasing firm. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
IRISH SURF Record: 18 starts – 3 wins, 1 second, 4 thirds ($213,660)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Regally bred underachiever exits easily his career-best performance. PAST PERFORMANCES: Romped to 8+ length win in Cougar II Handicap earlier this meet at Del Mar for his first career stakes victory. Snapped 8-race losing streak. Off board in his prior 5 attempts at stakes levels on various surfaces. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Sire Giant‟s Causeway was 6-time G1 winner worldwide, earning $3 M. At stud, Giant‟s Causeway offspring include French Derby winner Sharmardal and top US turf miler Aragorn. Dam Surfside was an Eclipse Champion 2YO Filly and daughter of the great Flanders. Irish Surf a maternal grandson of legend Seattle Slew. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: Will try to do something Richard‟s Kid couldn‟t in 4 bids – sweep both the Cougar II Handicap and Pacific Classic in the same Dmr meet. 2nd Pacific Classic starter for Dan Hendricks (2006, finished 8th). THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Elvis Trujillo: 30-year-old native of Panama City, Pan. Moved from Fla to Cali in May ‟14 and immediately competing for Del Mar title. Trainer Dan Hendricks: 55-year-old Los Angeles native. Trained ‟06 SA Derby winner Brother Derek; paralyzed in ‟04 motocross accident. Owner Gainesway Stable/Thor-Bred Stable: Anthony Beck operates Gainesway; Thor-bred is Erik & Pavla Nygaard of Del Mar. Raced G1 winner Rigoletta. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
MAJESTIC HARBOR Record: 23 starts – 6 wins, 6 seconds, 4 thirds ($655,764)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Developing into one of west‟s most consistent performers of 2014, while giving 24-year vet McCarthy his 1 st two graded stakes wins. PAST PERFORMANCES: 14/1 upset winner of G1 Santa Anita Gold Cup for his second graded win of the season – also won G2 Tokyo City at Santa Anita. Superb Santa Anita season saw him hit superfecta in 5 straight graded stakes – all between 5/1 and 17/1 odds. Split time early in his career in Kentucky & Louisiana with Paul McGee. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Half-brother to 2014 Kentucky Derby 3rd / Ark Derby winner Danza. Late sire Rockport Harbor passed in 2013 and best known for his offspring May Day Rose and Pataky Kid. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: Tries to follow Game on Dude‟s „13 sweep of Gold Cup/Pacific Classic. 2nd Pacific Classic starter for Sean McCarthy (Salty Humor „07, 11th). Tyler Baze is 6: 0-0-1 in Pacific Classic mounts. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Tyler Baze: 31-year-old native of Seattle, WA. ‟00 Eclipse Award-winning apprentice; mom, dad, brother, uncle, cousins all rode. Trainer Sean McCarthy: Monrovia, CA. HRTV analyst & former apprentice under Monty Roberts, “The Horse Whisperer.” Owner Gallant Stables: Ron Beegle, former exec with Aeropostale, Gap, etc., along with partners David & Loren Osborne et al. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
MYSTERY TRAIN Record: 19 starts – 8 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds ($425,257)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Lives up to name as Pacific Classic‟s mystery horse from Argentina. PAST PERFORMANCES: Won 3 straight stakes this spring in native Argentina, including the G1 Gran Premio Honor while setting a track record. Scored the $250,000 G1 Gran Premio Republica May 1 for his biggest score lifetime. 7-time stakes winner in his homeland. PEDIGREE: ARGENTINE-BRED Sire Not For Sale best known for producing international star Asiatic Boy, and was a top sprinter in South America in his racing heyday. Dam, American Whisper, broke her maiden in US and is a daughter of Quiet American, sire of Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner Real Quiet. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: Argentine-bred winners of Pacific Classic – Candy Ride, Gentlemen. Shippers have won 3 of 7 Pacific Classics in the Polytrack era (Go Between, Student Council and Dullahan). 2nd Pacific Classic starter for Vienna (7th in 2006); 1st PC for Perez. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Fernando Perez: Leading rider at Hastings came to CA in „13. Trainer Darrell Vienna: 67-year-old Los Angeles native. Trained champion Gilded Time; practicing lawyer, poet & screen writer. Owner Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal: Jed Cohen, 81, of Piru, CA. Investor has spent more than 6 decades in ownership. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
SHARED BELIEF Record: 5 starts – 5 wins ($772,200)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Unbeaten champion 2YO brings celebrity owner Jim Rome to the fore. PAST PERFORMANCES: 5-for-5, all in California, but has yet to run at Santa Anita or Del Mar. Dominant winner of G2 Los Alamitos Derby July 5 over Candy Boy. Won all 3 starts at age 2 en route to Eclipse Award, blowing out Hollywood Juvenile and Cash Call Futurity fields by 13 ½ lengths. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Son of the unbeaten Argentine import Candy Ride, who went 6-for-6 in his career and set Del Mar‟s 1 ¼ miles track record on dirt. 1 of 8 G1 winners sired by Candy Ride, he can become sire‟s 4th millionaire earner with a win in the Pacific Classic. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: 3YO winners: Dullahan, Came Home, General Challenge, Best Pal. Sire Candy Ride won the 2003 Pacific Classic in his final start. Would be 1st champion 2-year-old to add Pacific Classic title. Smith could tie Garrett Gomez for PC record for jockey wins with 4th. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Mike Smith: Roswell, NM native turned 49 on Aug. 10. 2003 Hall of Famer; 3 Pacific Classics (Came Home, Richard‟s Kid 2x). Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer: ‟10 Hall of Famer is 67 from Akron, OH. #3 on all-time wins list for North American trainers. 0-3 Pac Classic. Owner Jungle Racing, Hollendorfer, Todaro et al: Nom de course of Jim & Janet Rome; Rome a leading national sports radio/TV host. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
TOAST OF NEW YORK Record: 6 starts – 3 wins, 1 second ($1,243,115)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Rags-to-riches English invader brings international flair to Del Mar. PAST PERFORMANCES: Capped a 3-race win streak in March taking G2 UAE Derby at Meydan. Raced on Lasix when 6th in G1 Belmont Invitational Derby, his US debut, taking much ridicule from the British racing press and peers. Modest start, breaking his maiden for $4732 purse at Wolverhampton. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED From 1 crop of Coolmore stallion Thewayyouare, French 2YO champ of 2007 and closely related to Belmont winners Rags to Riches, Jazil. 2nd dam is Claire Marine, multiple G1 winner for Charlie Whittingham. st
PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: Shippers have won 3 of 7 Pacific Classics in the Polytrack era (Go Between, Student Council and Dullahan). Last Pacific Classic winner to exit off-the-board prep was Dullahan in 2012, who was 5th in the Haskell prior. 3YO winners: Dullahan, Came Home, General Challenge, Best Pal. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Victor Espinoza: 42yo from Veracruz, MX. Twice won 2/3 of Triple Crown with California Chrome ‟14 and War Emblem ‟02. Trainer Jamie Osborne: 46, Lambourne, Eng. Ex-top steeplechase rider. Trained ‟03 English 2YO champ Milk It Mick. Owner Michael Buckley: Prodigious owner on National Hunt (jump) circuit in GB, lesser-known on flats. Named colt for Cary Grant movie. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!
YOU KNOW I KNOW Record: 23 starts – 5 wins, 1 second, 6 thirds ($378,085)
WHY HE’S IMPORTANT: Surprised many last year when 3rd in this race at 40/1 odds and gets a return date. PAST PERFORMANCES: Made stakes debut when 3rd in last year‟s G1 Pacific Classic, rallying from 12th behind Game On Dude. All 5 career wins have come in maiden, claiming or allowance ranks. He‟s 0-for-5 lifetime in stakes races. 3rd last out in Del Mar‟s local prep, the G2 San Diego Handicap. PEDIGREE: KENTUCKY-BRED Sire Simon Pure never won a stakes in his racing career, but his dam was the great champion filly/mare Life‟s Magic. PACIFIC CLASSIC POINTS: Sadler owns 5: 0-2-1 mark in Pacific Classic, including 2-3 finish in this race last year with Kettle Corn & You Know I Know. Maldanado 3rd in last year‟s event aboard this horse, his PC debut. Last Pacific Classic winner to exit San Diego H–Pleasantly Perfect ‟04. THE CONNECTIONS: Jockey Edwin Maldonado: 31-year-old native of Columbus, OH. Rode primarily in TX/LA before moving to Cali in 2010, building biz. Trainer John Sadler: 58-year-old native of Long Beach, CA. 3-time leading trainer of Del Mar meet, including ‟13. Career 2000+ wins. Owner Anthony Chacon & Paul Mangini, Jr.: Claimed You Know I Know for $50,000 after debut race. Learn more about racing and wagering FREE online every Tuesday, 8:30 pm ET!