The 3-year-olds showed up their older colleagues in the Pacific Classic (G1) on September 2 seaas Arabic knight held Gewaux Rocket Ride In a thriller who spoke the quality of both 3-year-olds. The Hall of Fame trainer from Arabian Knight, Bob Baffert, broke a draw with the behind schedule Bobby Frankel to win the race for the seventh time, a stroke that started with another 3-year-old. General challenge1999.
The Arabic Knight of Zedan Racing Stables brought it to the field worth 1.025 million US dollars from the start and flew forward early under jockey flavia. Although the stallion likes to run early on the lead, it was a daring strategy, given the distance of 1 1/4 miles and the threats outside the pace that could be emerging, especially Gewaux Rocket Ride.
These two 3-year-olds met in the Haskell Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles in July 22nd Monmouth ParkAs Geweux Rocket Ride Kentucky Derby (G1) winner defeated magician With 1 3/4 lengths and Arabic knights, two lengths ended in third place after he had set the early pace. Baffert knew that she went to the Pacific classic that Gewaux Rocket Ride would be the greatest threat.
Baffert Jockey Flavien Prat brought for driving for the Pacific Classic. John Velazquez had driven the Colt in his first three starts: daylight victory in a maiden race from 2022 Keeneland and January 28 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park Also when returning from a long break in the Haskell. Formerly on the map of September 2, Prat won the DEL Mar Mile (G2T) on Baffert day after day A horse by Baffert's wife Jill and Debbie Lanni.
Gewaux Rocket Ride and Jockey Mike Smith pulled the rail while Arabian Knight and Prat Post 9 pulled. When the goal opened, Prat and Arabian Knight took the lead. Long -shot Pyroli Race in second place, while Smith Gewaux Rocket Ride had third place on the rail.
Bob Baffert is with @Scottfdtv To speak about his victory in the @Fanduel Racing Pacific Classic (GI) with Arabic knight.
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– Fanduel Racing (@Fanduel_Racing) September 3, 2023
From the beginning, Baffert was waiting for Gewaux Rocket Ride.
“I always watched the 1 – I knew that 1 was the horse that I had to beat,” said Baffert. “He looked fantastic in the paddock.”
Baffert also has great respect for Richard Mandella, the Hall of Fame trainer from Gewaux Rocket Ride.
“Richard Mandella does not lead horses in races to fun,” said Baffert. “And (his jockey) Mike Smith – I probably watched more Mike Smith when I watched my horse.”
The question was, which way Smith would go inside or outside the Arabic knight?
The Arabic knight runs from Gewaux Rocket Ride (left) and slowed down Andy (center) in the middle of the middle of the Pacific Classic near del Mar
“I thought about staying all the way inside,” said Smith. “But then I was afraid that I could hold on to the winner there.”
Gewaux Rocket Ride under Mike Smith only briefly came in the @Fanduel Racing Pacific Classic (GI). Mike Smith is with @Britneyeurton To talk about the trip and how the horse will set up in the future.
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– Fanduel Racing (@Fanduel_Racing) September 3, 2023
Smith decided Sluggish Andy In the second round, come into the head of the Baffert runner. Arabic knight had to ward off his older rival and then deal with Gewaux Rocket Ride.
“I wasn't sure the mile and a quarter,” said Baffert. “You don't know until you do it. And he did it, but in the end he did it with a lot of grit. That was a lot of heart; he dug.”
The two 3-year-olds climbed together to the wire, and the Arabic knight managed to hold a very determined GEAUX rocket trip on one neck and stop the clock in 2: 03.19. Sluggish Andy flat, but kept 1/4 length behind Geweux Rocket Ride in third place.
“He is a nice horse and he showed it today,” said Prat of Arabian Knight. “He ran all the way easily for me. He drove easily and I think this race will only make him better.”
Trainer Bob Baffert, left and jockey Flavien Prat, right, enjoy the Pacific Classic at Del Mar
The classic with his opulent handbag made Arabian Ritter a millionaire with a total of 1,244,275 US dollars in just four starts. He was a $ 2.3 million purchase of his owner from the top sales program to the sale of 2-year-olds in Ocala Breeders last year.
He was the first horse to win the Pacific Classic with just three previous starts. Airline Last year the race won with four starts.
A son of Uncle Mo –Borealis night from astrology The Arabian Knight in Kentucky from Corser -Fullblut also acquired a “victory” and they are in Santa Anita in Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). It will be decided at a later date whether the Colt gets a race between the Pacific Classic and the breeding cup of November 4th.
“We'll see how much it takes away from him,” said Baffert. “It was a strenuous race, but he didn't look exhausted or something. All of these races are demanding. I'm just enjoying the moment.”
Baffert was amazed to win a seventh Pacific classic.
“It's an honor – it's a great race,” he said. “I remember the first one (as a 3-year-old Best buddy won in 1991 for coach Gary Jones). I just got into the business. I looked at it on the back of the trainer myself because I had to assist. It was so stimulating to see. I never imagined that I could win it so often. “
According to the general challenge, Baffert's recording contains Richard's child 2009-10, Game on guy In 2013, Collected 2017 and Maximum security in 2020.
