There is no such thing as certainty in horse racing, but ‘Rising Star TDN‘ Flight route (Tapit) will be wagered as if Saturday’s GI TVG Pacific Classic – the ‘Win and You’re There’ qualifier for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland November 5 – had become the proverbial fait colleague.
And why not, really?
His four towering wins in numerous races all have average winning ratios well over 13 lengths. His lowest Beyer speed figure of 105 walkers was entirely earned on his debut just 18 months ago at Santa Anita, but that number could certainly have been at least a few points stronger if Flavien Prat asks him to make any attempt. Sure, he’s managed wisely with just two subsequent appearances in third, but they’re no less monstrous, including 11 1/2-long field smashes including zero only hard hit Stilleto boy (Shackleford), but also Dr. Schivel (Violence), who suffered a dirty loss at the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint in the previous warm-up.
The only place of true adversity Flightline – his $1 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga coin now looks like a total steal – was faced with pulling out the rails for 45 cents on dollars at GI Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan H. in Belmont June 11 main character and major character GI Carter H. Hero Speaker’s Corner (Street Sense). While a trip to Saratoga and a possible clash with colleagues ‘Rising Star’ Life Is Good (Into Mischief) in GI Whitney H. was initiated, relationships determined Del Mar’s focus.
With the Classic starting at the top of the trough, there will be plenty of time for each of the six participants to find their place. Coach John Sadler won’t use the draw results as any kind of alibi if things don’t go well on Saturday.
“You have about a quarter of a mile to go before your first turn so you have time to prepare for a good ride,” said the operator, who sent Hronis Racing’s Tripoli (Kitten’s Joy) to the annoyance. for Classic last year. “We think most of the writing will be good because the pitch is relatively small and he’s tactical, he doesn’t need to be in the lead and he doesn’t need to be back either.”
Country Grammer (Tonalist) will become the first since California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) in 2016 to win the G1 Dubai World Cup and the Pacific Classic in the same season. Bay prepared for this with a useful effort to finish second to Royal Ship (Brz) (Shipman) at GII San Diego H. July 30, but two holes left coach Bob Baffert a bit cold.
Baffert, now with Bobby, said: “I have preferred the middle position to the outside post. Frankel on six Classic wins. “He runs better outside. Frankie Dettori was inside all the way while he was outside. That’s why he won the Dubai World Cup. If he was outside [when second] In [the Saudi Cup]I think he will win. “
Flightline’s presence is unlikely to make it difficult for coach Richard Mandella, who is not only a four-time Classic winner, but also the architect of one of the race’s biggest failures. car. There will be few people confused between Royal Ship and Additional hope (Shanghai Bobby) with Dare and Go and Siphon (Brz), but Cigar’s previous defeat here in 1996, greatly aided by his steady forward companion, is not soon forgotten. .
The School of Classics is completed by Express train (Union Rags).
Flight route ️ pic.twitter.com/cgLKejeV0c
– West Point Tbred (@westpointtbred) September 1, 2022
Elsewhere at Seaside Oval…
A trio of tier II stakes aided the bottom card, and the top two finishers from last year’s Classic took part, albeit on the pitch. Tizamagician (Tiznow) isn’t known for his turf, but he enjoyed a stay trip and ended up in GII Del Mar H. across 11 courts, giving the winner a paid landing entrance fee to the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on November 5. The race looks set to go through Michael McCarthy’s coaching. Master Piece (Chi) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who went halfway through the renovation process last year and was the one who escaped a 16-1 disappointment before GII Eddie Read S. July 31.
The aforementioned Tripoli cuts back on the trip for the GII Del Mar Mile, where the chestnuts look for victory on the first field. In a race without California’s top lawn mowers, this 5-year-old will overtake Eddie Read for second and third. Hong Kong Harry (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}) and Cathkin Peak (Ire) (Alhebayeb {Ire}), DMR H. troublemaker last year Astronaut (Quality Sugar) and progress Goliad (War front).
Nine galloping runners of the second year held for the GII Del Mar Derby, led by outpost Balnikhov (Ire) (Adaay {Ire}), the impressive winner of his local debut in Oceanside S. limited on opening day July 22. Posing the biggest threats was GIII hero La Jolla H. Cabo Spirit (Pioneer of the Nile); War at sea (War front), who did best at the June 4 movie theater in Santa Anita; and the ultimate allowance scorer Dandy Warhol (Ire) (The young man {Ire}).
Catch the ‘Pletch’ to win the Gold Cup…
Saratoga played only a small second game against Del Mar Saturday, but also hosted a pair of Breeders’ Cup qualifiers of her own.
Even with ‘Rising star TDN’ Life Is Good (Into Mischief) still in stock, coach Todd Pletcher won half of the eight runners for the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, with a slot at the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic to compete. The lowest priced horse of the quartet was last year’s GI Cigar Mile H. hero, New York crossbreed of the year. Americanrevolution (Structure), who beat Albany S. in this strip last year and will be looking to reverse course with Olympiad (Sightstown), who had a convincing 1/4-length puff on him during the GII Stephen Foster S. at Churchill July 2.
“He’s proven to be versatile enough at one mile and an eighth and a mile, but he gives you the impression he’s still looking for more at the end of a mile and a mile,” said the Hall of Famer. eighth,” said the Hall of Famer. “Hopefully, that means he can make it a mile and a quarter away.”
Distance is not a query for a stable friend Move one (Union Rags). Also a Saratoga bet winner, won last year Curlin S.. ‘Rising Star TDN‘First Captain’ (Curlin) at GII Suburban S. on 9 July.
“More than anything, he just got a little more professional in his races and he figured that out,” Pletcher said of the 4-year-old. “I can say he has improved quite a bit mentally.”
It’s no surprise that coach Shug McGaughey gave the Captain a “huge opportunity” to turn things around this weekend.
“It was a very good race,” said McGaughey. “In his continuing career, winning it will be a big thing. We look forward to running him. “
Pletcher also rest assured for the two outsiders in Not processed yet (Nyquist) and GI in 2021 Runhappy Runner-up of Travers S. Keepmeinmind (Laoban).
GII Flower Bowl S., the winner of a slot in the GI Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, features the much-loved War Like Goddess (English Channel), the easy winner competing for 1st place last semester and then the unlucky third with Love Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in FM Turf at Del Mar. Terrorize the temple city (Temple City) and Virginia Joy (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) came in second and third, respectively, behind War Like Goddess in GII Glens Falls S. August 6 was 12 minutes long and looked best when filled with minors.
‘Rising star‘Annapolis’ (War front) shaped like a hard-to-crack nut during the otherwise classified event of the afternoon, GIII Saranac S. Bass-cross-bred trailed miles and placed sixteenth after a brilliant second-place attempt. Nations Pride (Ire) Award (Teophilo {Ire). }) in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. August 6. Linkion opts for this shorter ride instead of a longer stretch for the 12th Jockey GI Caesars Club Yacht Race on September 17.
“We wanted to give him a little support and that was a better distance than the mile and a half in Aqueduct. He’s doing well and is ready to run,” Pletcher said.
G1 winner. Millionaire. #NYbred Horse of the year. Good boy certificate. Americanrevolution received a warm hug from Martin Baez after sprinting half a mile this morning! Hertrich & Fielding-bred are aiming for the Jockey G1 Club Gold Cup on Saturday. He was born less than eight miles away. pic.twitter.com/wqa2SnYEbL
– NYTB (@nytbreeders) August 28, 2022
A ‘million’ reasons to play…
Saturday’s graded final bets take place at the Kentucky/Tennessee border with a $1 million GIII WinStar Mint Million S run.
Godolphin’s Pixelate (City Zip) returned to galloping at the Kentucky Downs to successfully defend his title, having beaten Somelikeithotbrown (Big Brown) this time last year by two and a half rounds. Redemption (Into Mischief) drew outside, and despite being unbeaten from five games this season’s start, have made several possible races here. Kentucky Ghost (Ghostzapper) finished second in a division of TVG S. last season and could go down to a better race in the next trip here.
WATCH: TDN Writers Room previews action this weekend
