IT’S OFFICIAL

The August 4, 2015 Edition

So, where does American Pharoah go from here?

As a Californian who would love to see the Triple Crown winner perform at least once in the West this year, I hope the Pacific Classic Aug. 22 will be given strong consideration.  It should, because staying home makes sense.  Yes, the race is open to older horses (it’s weight-for-age, so American Pharoah would be getting weight, not giving it) but it requires no shipping, no worries about weather or track condition, and no concerns about the competition, unless somebody can uncover a world-beater hiding among the ranks of the local handicap division, which this year appears even more mediocre than usual.

Del Mar managements simply has to do whatever it takes to make it happen.  I’m here to help.  This is the case I would present if assigned the task of convincing Team Pharaoh to choose the Pacific Classic as the colt’s next start:

(1)    The Travers is scheduled in four weeks, the Pacific Classic in three, but the benefit of having an additional seven days in between races is negated by the need for yet another cross country ship and back, which, it seems, American Pharoah has done enough of already this year.  If American Pharoah had been subjected to a tough, demanding, taxing race in the Haskell, yes, an extra week might be preferred.  As it was, American Pharaoh’s victory on Sunday was probably his easiest win ever.

(2)    The Travers purse is larger, yes, $1.6 million to $1 million, but that’s easily fixable because we’ll be offering an increase in purse and an appearance fee.  Additionally, we’ll allow you to sell your American Pharoah merchandise on the grounds, and you can keep all of the profits.  We’ll match and beat any of the other offers you receive, including whatever bonuses might be due.   Tell us how much you need, it’s yours.  We are aware that it would be a complete failure on our part if our racetrack housed the Triple Crown champion for nearly two months but saw him ship twice to race out of town during that time without making even one afternoon appearance at Del Mar.  We are desperate, so feel free to take advantage of us.

(3)    There will be nothing in the Pacific Classic more dangerous than Texas Red, and if you ship 3,000 miles to a sometimes hot, sometimes muggy, sometimes wet Saratoga to run in the Travers, you’ll essentially be scheduling a road game against a colt that is far more talented than anything of any age on the West Coast.  Frosted isn’t bad, either.

(4)    If you run in the Pacific Classic, you can still easily make the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby, which is scheduled Sept. 19 and allows for a full month in between races.  Or, you could simply remain in California, give American Pharoah an extra week, and have his final Breeders’ Cup prep in the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita Sept. 26, requiring your colt to ship and run just one more time during his career, to Keeneland, for the B.C. Classic.  Easy as punch.

Del Mar has one month remaining in what is shaping up as one of the least consequential seasons in recent years.  The Pacific Classic looks like a yawner unless Beholder runs, and even if she does, she’s no sure thing to win.  The older grass division doesn’t exist.  The 3-year-olds are forgettable.  There have been a couple of promising two-year-olds that have surfaced but nothing yet promotable and they won’t run back until closing weekend, anyway.  In short, from a national perspective, Del Mar 2015 – without American Pharoah - is on a clear path to irrelevance, unless American Pharoah runs in the Pacific Classic. 

Make it happen, Del Mar.  No excuses.

THIS WEEK’S DEL MAR “BLACK BOOK”

Gusto’s Gal (July 29, 4^th race) – It wasn’t really much of a race that she exits, but the debuting juvenile filly ran better than the line will show and seems certain to improve.  Was in tight quarters and was shuffled back along the rail early, found her best stride when clear into the lane and finished with interest to be a distant third while clearly in need of the outing.  Next time, with a better draw, the daughter of J. P.’s Gusto should produce a substantial forward move for Hofmans against a similar band of modest maiden claimers.

Just Google Me (July 31, 7^th race) – Broke her maiden at first asking from off the pace at Los Alamitos and then was commencing a strong rally entering the lane, but was forced to alter course sharply behind a pulling up filly and lost valuable momentum in C.T.B. A. Stakes for juvenile state-bred fillies.  Still wound third while far ahead of the others and would have been a whole lot closer with a clean trip.  Progressive daughter of Stormin Fever is out of a Cryptoclearance mare so she might not be just a late-running sprinter. 

Perfect Set (Aug. 1, 9^th race) – Continued his improving pattern since joining the Hollendorfer barn when missing by a nose to unbeaten Smooth Roller in a highly-rated, powerful first-level allowance main track router.   Pleasantly Perfect gelding, a $20,000 claim in April, rallied quickly along the rail entering the lane, steadied in tight quarters briefly, the accelerated and hit the front inside the sixteenth pole before losing the head-bob.  Best on dirt and can handle synthetic as well, but has yet to have any real success on grass.  We’ll trust this high percentage outfit to find the proper spot.

Skelton Pass (July 31, 2^nd race) – Was very well-meant in his racing debut despite his overlay odds of 16-1 and ran quite well to be second in a stronger-than-par high priced maiden claimer.  Bred to run long the lawn and that’s probably why Sadler submitted a claim.  Gelded son of Temple City should move forward considerably with experience and is one to follow no matter where his new connections choose to go.

So Phet (July 30, 7^th race) – Was victimized by a poor outside draw and was forced to race wide every step of the way without cover, yet kept to his task in the drive and wound up beaten less than a half-length when fourth in a cavalry charge won by Little Jerry.  Calbred gelding can be effective on any surface and now that he’s had three races off the layoff he should be able to establish some consistency.