A Win and Your In for the Breeders Cup Classic. The Pacific Classic is the premier summer prep in the older division for horses based on the West Coast. The division looks light on quality this year, but the two best distance horses on the West Coast have shown up.
The 2018 Pacific Classic
The Lieutenant
The son of Street Sense was soundly defeated in the Suburban by six lengths by Diversify. He received a perfect set-up for the second place finish when several horses didn’t fire and Diversify went wire to wire with fast fractions. The Lieutenant was nine lengths back at the first call and then did most of his running after the main contenders started backing up going into the turn. Not the most likely winner but has a consistent record and is capable of running a competitive race. Would need the two leading contenders not to show up to win this race.
Dr. Dorr
The form is going down fast, and that is usually not a good sign in the older handicap division. Dr. Dorr was beaten decisively in the Suburban Handicap and the San Diego Handicap by Diversify and Catalina Cruiser. Accelerate beat him fair and square by four lengths in the Hollywood Gold Cup. On his best race, he is an 8.5-furlong horse, and he is far from his best run.
Accelerate
This over-achiever has picked up some big wins this year. Dominated the Santa Anita Handicap on a sloppy surface by five lengths and then came back and won the Hollywood Gold Cup by four lengths. He is a five-year-old who has never shown this kind of form in the past. He is a favorite by default and if he can run his race most likely wins this race. Very skeptical of him being a Breeder’s Cup Classic Winner. He has danced all the dances, and the overall record is solid.
Pavel
Won the Stephen Foster when a couple of horses misfired and the favorite may have been over-bet. Pavel took the late money, made his move going into the turn and then drew off with authority. His best distance is 8-9 furlongs and he does his best running when engaged near the leaders. He was flat in the Gold Cup and has hit all his workouts for this race. He is capable of defeating Accelerate and 5/2 would be a square price on the second-best horse in the race.
Roman Rosso
The Pride of Argentina comes in with a fat wallet from Argentina winning back to back grade 1’s in his last 2 starts. Been working steadily since June, and last raced in March. Usually, a long lead time for South American’s to acclimate would be better. But they need to test the waters and see what they have. He has gone wire to wire in Argentina but those were slow paced races with fractions of 1:13 and 1:14. His most recent race he tracked in third place. Distance is not an issue, he does go up in class and draws Flavian Prat for the riding assignment. Would need 6/1 odds to take a swing in this spot. But the top two favorites are not exactly 10-furlong monsters.
Title Ready
Has flashed talent and has some exciting trips in recent races. He was forced inside in Oaklawn allowance race and then raced evenly in the slop at Pimlico. In most recent run was behind the speed and outside of a couple of contenders while looking for racing room. Finished with interest and 12/1 morning line would be an excellent price.
The Strategy
Accelerate is the favorite, but he did pass on the San Diego Handicap, Pavel is sharp and if he is going to defeat Accelerate this would be the race to do it. Pavel is the call, hope for an aggressive ride and being drawn to the outside of Accelerate should benefit Pavel.