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Top-notch field of 11 set for Pacific Classic

Wed 20th, August 2008

Del Mar, CA (Sports Network) - Eleven of the best older thoroughbreds in training make up the field for Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar. The winner of the 1 1/4 mile race gains an automatic spot in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic as part of the "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge.

Go Between, trained by Bill Mott, attempts to stop a three race streak in which he has finished second in each start. After winning the Sunshine Millions Classic in January he was the runner-up in the Santa Anita Handicap, the Ben Ali and the Hollywood Gold Cup.

Owned by Peter Vegso, the chestnut horse is the 3-1 morning-line favorite and will be ridden again by Garrett Gomez from the six-hole.

"The horse is doing excellent," said Kenny McCarthy who handles the Bill Mott string at Churchill Downs. "We gave him a couple of easy works after he came back from the Hollywood Park race and then put two sharp works into him."

The five-year-old has won seven of 25 lifetime starts with earnings of $2,183,880.

Here is the rest of the field for the 18th Pacific Classic: Student Council, Awesome Gem, Mast Track, McCann's Mojave, Well Armed, Surf Cat, Mostacolli Mort, Barcola, Delosvientos and Zappa. All horses will carry 124 pounds.

Defending Classic winner Student Council has won eight of 29 career starts for $1,547,731. His lone win this year came in the Pimlico Special and he is coming off a second to Commentator in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga.

It was announced on August 12 that Student Council will be retired at the conclusion of the 2008 racing season and enter stud in 2009. The six-year-old will stand at Millennium Farms, his current owner.

"His racing career has brought us much excitement," noted Millennium Farms owner Ro Parra. "And after a few more races this year, we are sure that the combination of his pedigree, conformation, soundness, toughness, durability and great race record will make him desirable to breeders around the world."

Well Armed, trained by Eoin Harty for WinStar Farms, took the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar in his most recent start. The gelding has career earnings just over $1 million with five wins in 17 career starts.

"Going the extra distance isn't optimal, but I think he can do it physically," said Harty. "After all, he's by Tiznow (double winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic). He has overcome a lot in his lifetime; the worst was a broken pelvis two years ago and Bill Casner (partner in WinStar Farm) rehabbed the horse himself. These people (WinStar) have sent me three Tiznows and they've all won major races. That's this horse, Colonel John and Tiz Now Tiz Then. What are the chances of that?"

The Pacific Classic will be broadcast on ESPN2 with a post-time set for 9:45 p.m. (et).

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