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PACIFIC CLASSIC S. (G1), 10TH-DMR, $1,000,000, 3YO/UP, 1 1/4M, 6:30 P.M. PDT, 8-24

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 AWESOME GEM DOLLASE CRAIG BAZE T C 124
2 MOSTACOLLI MORT CANANI JULIO C ESPINOZA V 124
3 ZAPPA SADLER JOHN W GARCIA A 124
4 SURF CAT HEADLEY BRUCE FLORES D R 124
5 BARCOLA HENNIG MARK NAKATANI C S 124
6 GO BETWEEN MOTT WILLIAM I GOMEZ G K 124
7 WELL ARMED HARTY EOIN GRYDER A T 124
8 MAST TRACK FRANKEL ROBERT J BEJARANO R 124
9 DELOSVIENTOS IADISERNIA GIUSEPPE ROSARIO JOEL 124
10 STUDENT COUNCIL ASMUSSEN STEVEN M BRIDGMOHAN S X 124
11 MCCANN'S MOJAVE SPECHT STEVE GARCIA J A 124

Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar has attracted a contentious field of 11, and a solid case can be made for a number of leading contenders. Perhaps the key to the 1 1/4-mile affair is that there is plenty of early speed signed on. In these circumstances, we believe that the talented SURF CAT (Sir Cat) will be able to settle better in the early going, enabling him to unleash the kind of ferocious late charge that he's shown at shorter distances. We trust his pedigree, which features some significant stamina influences farther back, and his undeniable class, to help him stay the trip.

The dark bay has tried 1 1/4 miles only once before, as a sophomore in the 2005 Pacific Classic, but he was embroiled in an early duel that day and tired to finish sixth. This is an older, and presumably wiser, Surf Cat, who figures to switch off early and let the pacesetters go, as he did to such good effect in the 2006 and 2008 editions of the 1 1/16-mile Mervyn LeRoy H. (G2). He has also won in a rare foray at 1 1/8 miles, recording a commanding five-length romp in the 2005 Swaps S. (G2), and we know that Bruce Headley wouldn't pitch him in if he were too worried about the added ground. Note that Headley has prepared him for the stretch-out through a pair of one-mile works over the track, followed by a bullet five-furlong move in :57 3/5 on Tuesday. David Flores, who guided Surf Cat to a closing second-place effort to WELL ARMED (Tiznow) in the San Diego H. (G2) last time out, will be back aboard the 6-1 shot.

Defending champion STUDENT COUNCIL (Kingmambo) is sure to relish the prospect of a pace meltdown up front. Although he captured last year's Pacific Classic off a tepid tempo from midpack, one of his finer performances came in the May 16 Pimlico Special (G1), where he rallied from well back off an honest pace to get up in time. Most recently, the Steve Asmussen trainee turned in a sneakily good runner-up effort in the nine-furlong Whitney H. (G1) at Saratoga. Rolling from near the tail of the field, Student Council gunned down everyone but the impressive Commentator (Distorted Humor) to finish 8 1/2 lengths clear of third. Only two horses have managed to win back-to-back Pacific Classics -- Tinners Way (1994-95) and Skimming (2000-01) -- and the bay needs a clean trip from post 10 to try to add his name to that list.

Can GO BETWEEN (Point Given) really finish second for the fourth straight time? The Bill Mott charge has been stuck on the runner-up spot in his past three, chasing Heatseeker (Ire) in the Santa Anita H. (G1), Sterwins (Runaway Groom) in the Ben Ali S. (G3) and MAST TRACK (Mizzen Mast) in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). Either he's bound to break through sooner or later, or alternatively, he's the type who tends to find someone too good on the day. We suspect the latter is the case, especially in these top-level events, but we won't be shocked if the galvanizing Garrett Gomez engineers a turnaround.

The deep-closing AWESOME GEM (Awesome Again) has never run a bad race at Del Mar, as evidenced by his terrific second in the 2007 Pacific Classic, and he is coming off a photo-finish loss in the grassy Wickerr H. The hard-trying chestnut missed by a nostril in last year's Goodwood S. (G1) and went on to gain third in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), so he can make his presence felt on his best day. We're a trifle concerned that the Craig Dollase pupil was unable to land a blow in the Big 'Cap, which set up for him so well on paper. On the other hand, he may have had an excuse, since he was sidelined thereafter until the Wickerr. Awesome Gem is one of several in here who merit respect, and he is a must-use in the exotics, but is he good enough to take top honors?

Well Armed would rate a much better chance if he could dictate on the front end, the tactic that netted him the San Diego most recently and the San Antonio H. (G2) earlier this campaign. He's sure to be plagued by the attentions of BARCOLA (Old Trieste), DELOSVIENTOS (Siphon [Brz]) and Mast Track, however. The early pressure, combined with the fact that he'd have to carry his speed 1 1/4 miles, make him vulnerable as a win candidate. Still, Well Armed was a game third in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) at about this distance, and he's eligible to hang on grimly for a small share. Mast Track looks tractable enough to stalk, but he may not be able to beat a field of this quality with that kind of trip. In other words, his front-running Hollywood Gold Cup score smacks of opportunism to us, and we'll oppose him in this spot. MOSTACOLLI MORT (Hold for Gold), a late-charging third in the San Diego, is on the upgrade for Julio Canani. A repeat of his last might help him sneak into the superfecta at healthy odds.

ZAPPA (Afternoon Deelites) looked like a world-beater in the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II H. last time out, but a cutback in trip, while simultaneously stepping up in class, isn't usually a recipe for success. Indeed, he has been beaten by several of the Pacific Classic principals already. The speedy Barcola and Delosvientos are trying the same gambit of dropping down from 1 1/2 miles while facing much better competition. They face an even tougher task than Zappa, since they'll be winging it early too. MCCANN'S MOJAVE (Memo [Chi]) is a grand old campaigner, but he looks a notch below these at the twilight of his career.

1st-SURF CAT
2nd-STUDENT COUNCIL
3rd-GO BETWEEN

DEL MAR MILE H. (G2), 9TH-DMR, $400,000, 3YO/UP, 1MT, 6:00 P.M. PDT, 8-24

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 PORTO SANTO (FR) CANANI JULIO C BAZE T C 114
2 DARK ISLANDER (IRE) DRYSDALE NEIL ROSARIO JOEL 114
3 STORM MILITARY (ARG) FRANKEL ROBERT J FLORES D R 115
4 WHATSTHESCRIPT (IRE) SADLER JOHN W GOMEZ G K 117
5 BOLD CHIEFTAIN MOREY WILLIAM J JR BAZE R A 118
6 GLOBAL HUNTER (ARG) AVILA A C VALDIVIA J JR 114
7 ONE UNION MANDELLA RICHARD E ESPINOZA V 117
8 DAYTONA (IRE) HENDRICKS DAN L SOLIS A 121
9 STONESIDE (IRE) CANANI JULIO C SMITH M E 116
10 MONZANTE MITCHELL MIKE BEJARANO R 118
11 WILLOW O WISP WALLIS NATHAN BLANC B 111

An excellent renewal of the $400,000 Del Mar Mile H. (G2) over the turf on Sunday should showcase a return to form for DAYTONA (Ire) (Indian Ridge), considered one of the top turf runners in the nation prior to a recent setback in the American H. (G2) at Hollywood Park. A winner of three of his first four starts this year, capped off by a 1 1/2-length score in the Shoemaker Mile (G1), Daytona pressed the pace in the American only to come up empty and faded to sixth. That performance was easily his worst in some time, but we expect the Dan Hendricks pupil to turn in a more representative effort following a brief layoff.

MONZANTE (Maria's Mon) was super impressive in winning last month's Eddie Read H. (G1), rallying from last in a field of six to win by a half-length going away. The thing that turned most observers' heads was his final eighth clocked in :10 4/5. To call that racehorse time would be an understatement. Our only concern here is that he gets one furlong less to work with, and a larger field this time might compromise the effectiveness of his late charge.

WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire) (Royal Applause [GB]), who upset Daytona in the American, was a solid second in the Eddie Read and would be no surprise here. In a career often hindered by setbacks, it's nice to see this talented four-year-old maintain his recent good health and form. There is, however, a jock switch from Isaias Enriquez to Garrett Gomez today, and while many would consider that a plus in theory, it really doesn't seem necessary given Whatsthescript's record of accomplishment since his importation.

The hard-luck STORM MILITARY (Arg) (Bernstein) was second in the Dallas Turf Cup (G3), second in the American and third in the Eddie Read in his last three starts. If anyone will appreciate the cutback to a mile, its this front-runner. BOLD CHIEFTAIN (Chief Seattle) is a game and honest individual who shows a fondness for a variety of surfaces and distances. He is two-for-two over the Del Mar turf, and figures to offer value in exotics plans. GLOBAL HUNTER (Arg) (Jade Hunter) has not raced on turf since his days in Argentina, where he was a Group 2 winner, and might appreciate the return to turf after falling short on dirt and synthetic surfaces in his last four starts

DARK ISLANDER (Ire) (Singspiel [Ire]), narrowly beaten in the Benazet-Rennen (Ger-G3) at Baden-Baden in May, was a grinding third in the Wickerr H. last time and might sneak into the exotics if one of the favorites happens to falter. The same can also be said for Wickerr fifth STONESIDE (Ire) (Marchand de Sable), runner-up in the one-mile Prix Jean Prat (Fr-G1) last year and winner of the San Simeon H. (G3) at about 6 1/2 furlongs on these shores.

PORTO SANTO (Fr) (Kingsalsa) and ONE UNION (Dixie Union) lack much in the way of back class. WILLOW O WISP (Misnomer), the race's only also-eligible, descended into the claiming ranks this year and would be a stronger fit against that kind.

1st-DAYTONA (Ire)
2nd-MONZANTE
3rd-WHATSTHESCRIPT (Ire)

PAT O'BRIEN H. (G2), 8TH-DMR, $300,000, 3YO/UP, 7F, 5:30 P.M. PDT, 8-24

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 DECADO (IRE) GALLAGHER PATRICK SOLIS A 113
2 REBELLION (GB) MOTION H GRAHAM BEJARANO R 118
3 MIDNIGHT LUTE BAFFERT BOB GOMEZ G K 122
4 LEWIS MICHAEL CATALANO WAYNE M DOUGLAS R R 118
5 ARSON SQUAD HEADLEY BRUCE FLORES D R 116
6 BARBECUE EDDIE KORINER BRIAN GRYDER A T 115
7 DOPPIO GAINES CARLA VALDIVIA J JR 114
8 IN SUMMATION CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE NAKATANI C S 121
9 TALL TEXAN MANDELLA RICHARD E TALAMO JOSEPH 113
10 HEWITTS HESS R B JR ESPINOZA V 114
11 HURRY UP AUSTIN STUTE MELVIN F COURT J K 114
12 HOW'S YOUR HALO WARD WESLEY A BAZE T C 116

Sunday's $300,000 Pat O'Brien H. (G2) marks the return of champion sprinter MIDNIGHT LUTE (Real Quiet). Although the Bob Baffert charge is entitled to win this, we'll take a stab against the prohibitive favorite for two reasons: he's making his belated 2008 debut and racing on Del Mar's Polytrack for the first time. Neither of those factors could be enough to derail the reigning Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) hero, but taken together, they cause a smidgeon of concern to creep in. Instead, let's swing for the fences with REBELLION (GB) (Mozart [Ire]), who packs a bigger punch than his 15-1 morning-line price suggests.

Trained by Graham Motion, Rebellion has developed into a specialist at this seven-furlong distance, or thereabouts, on synthetic surfaces. In his seasonal reappearance, the handsome bay captured the Commonwealth S. (G2) on Keeneland's Polytrack, and next time out, he rallied from last to win the Ack Ack H. (G3) on Hollywood's Cushion Track. He failed to cope with two turns when winding up an even fifth in the San Diego H. (G2), but reverting in distance should be just what he needs to put his best foot forward. Rebellion must do that to spring an upset, but we suspect that a big effort is in the offing. Regular rider Rafael Bejarano is charged with masterminding the right trip from off the pace.

Midnight Lute rates as the class of the 12-horse field, and if he's anywhere near his best, will kick off his five-year-old campaign in style. The dark bay has been firing bullet works on the surface, so he has given every indication that he's handling the Polytrack. Even so, training on it, and racing on it, can be two different things. His only two prior synthetic tries are inconclusive, for he won Keeneland's Perryville S. (G3) in a romp in 2006, but he was also fourth as the even-money favorite in the 2007 Commonwealth. Garrett Gomez will be back in the saddle aboard the Eclipse Award winner.

IN SUMMATION (Put It Back) has raced at Del Mar twice in his career, winning the 2007 Bing Crosby H. (G1) in a last-gasp dive for the line and finishing a troubled second as the defending champion last time out. That day, after being compromised by traffic problems, the Christophe Clement pupil rallied to go down by one length to the streaking Street Boss (Street Cry [Ire]). At this point, In Summation looks like he'd prefer a bit longer than the Crosby's six furlongs, and the extra ground of the Pat O'Brien could help him get back on the winning track. He figures to attract support as the prime alternative to Midnight Lute, though, and may not offer much value. Corey Nakatani will guide the stalk-and-pounce type.

LEWIS MICHAEL (Rahy) looms as an attractive contender at 8-1 on the morning line. The Frank Calabrese homebred boasts a sterling 6-2-3-0 mark on synthetic ovals, including a smashing victory in last year's Washington Park H. (G2), a runner-up effort to Midnight Lute in the Perryville, and a second in the 2007 Commonwealth in which Midnight Lute was fourth. In addition, the full brother to champion Dreaming of Anna is eligible to move forward off his fourth in the grassy Sea o' Erin H. in his 2008 bow. The seven furlongs might be a bit short for him, but Lewis Michael has been training sharply at his Arlington base and should not be discounted beneath Rene Douglas.

HOW'S YOUR HALO (Halo's Image) is intriguing based on his last outing, a strong runner-up effort to top sprinter Benny the Bull (Lucky Lionel) in the Smile Sprint H. (G2) at Calder. Also noteworthy is the fact that he will be making his first start for Wesley Ward, who wins at a 26 percent clip with new recruits. On the other hand, it's anyone's guess how he will adjust to a synthetic track for the first time in his life, and he could have been flattered by the Calder home court advantage in the Smile. BARBECUE EDDIE (Stormy Atlantic) has turned in some valiant efforts in defeat, especially when narrowly beaten by In Summation a couple of times this winter. We're a bit put off by his throwing in the towel in the Bing Crosby, however, and would prefer to see a more characteristic performance again before endorsing. He'll probably face serious early pressure from HEWITTS (Concerto).

DOPPIO (Gentlemen [Arg]) looked sharp when taking a solid allowance/optional claimer over the track. Considering that he was no match for Rebellion at Keeneland, he's got to improve quite a bit to threaten here. TALL TEXAN (Point Given) held his own against some stakes-quality allowance/optional claiming foes, but he's a stab in the dark in his sixth lifetime start. If he weren't trained by Richard Mandella, he would look even more suspect. ARSON SQUAD (Brahms) has no shortage of back class, but we can't ignore the fact that his downward spiral coincided with the shift from dirt to synthetic. HURRY UP AUSTIN (Lake Austin) has class concerns in this spot, as does the speedy Hewitts. DECADO (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) posted decent results in Ireland, but after four unplaced efforts in Southern California routes, this has the earmarks of a sheer experiment.

1st-REBELLION (GB)
2nd-MIDNIGHT LUTE
3rd-IN SUMMATION

RANCHO BERNARDO H. (G3), 7TH-DMR, $200,000, 3YO/UP, F/M, 6.5F, 5:00 P.M. PDT, 8-24

PP HORSE TRAINER JOCKEY WT
1 SILKY SMOOTH MULLINS JEFF BEJARANO R 116
2 MAKOR'S LOVE HO HERBERT GARCIA J A 107
3 MAGNIFICIENCE HEADLEY BRUCE FLORES D R 118
4 LA TEE GLATT MARK BAZE T C 114
5 TIZ ELEMENTAL GAINES CARLA ROSARIO JOEL 120
6 LETHAL HEAT ABRAMS BARRY SOLIS A 115
7 DEAREST TRICKSKI SADLER JOHN W SMITH M E 120
8 SOCIETY HOSTESS CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE VALDIVIA J JR 117
9 SPRING AWAKENING MITCHELL MIKE GOMEZ G K 112
10 HIGHLAND TORREE DELEON RAFAEL GARCIA MARTIN 113

A field of 10 fillies and mares is set to contest Sunday's $200,000 Rancho Bernardo H. (G3) at Del Mar, but on paper DEAREST TRICKSKI (Proudest Romeo) and MAGNIFICIENCE (Stormy Atlantic) are the ones to beat in the 6 1/2-furlong heat. They finished first and second, respectively, in the June 28 A Gleam H. (G2) at Hollywood Park, and we look for them to finish in that order again.

Dearest Trickski looks like the speed of the speed in the Rancho Bernardo, and with a clean start she should prove difficult to catch. She's won eight of her last 10 starts including the La Brea S. (G1) and Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint. One of her two losses since May 2007 occurred in the Desert Stormer H. two back where she failed to make the lead at the first call. That says two things: the early lead is essential for her success, and when she has it she's awfully tough to beat.

Magnificience will be well supported in her effort to turn the tables on Dearest Trickski. Favored in the A Gleam, the previously unbeaten four-year-old was off slowly and simply couldn't close the gap. Her first two victories, which included a score in the Santa Paula S. (G3), were on Santa Anita's old dirt track, and she returned from a layoff of more than a year to narrowly win her comeback over Hollywood's Cushion Track. She seemed more comfortable on the synthetic in the A Gleam, but Dearest Trickski retains the edge in this rematch as she's actually won over Del Mar's Polytrack.

SOCIETY HOSTESS (Seeking the Gold) captured the Franklin County S. over Keeneland's Polytrack in the fall of 2006, but has raced sporadically since then. Indeed, she has not raced at all since losing a nose decision in the February 2 Santa Monica H. (G1). She's a logical threat here, but we wonder whether she will come up just a bit short following such a long spell.

We're not sure what to do with LETHAL HEAT (Unusual Heat). The Cal-bred is one of the more talented filly sprinters on the grounds, but trainer Barry Abrams might be squeezing the lemon dry as this would mark her fourth start of the Del Mar meet. She beat state-bred fillies in the Fleet Treat S. on July 20, state-bred colts in the Real Good Deal S. on August 8, and was most recently third in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) on August 16. The Grade 2 queen would have a brighter future if only her talents were exploited with a more balanced campaign.

TIZ ELEMENTAL (Cee's Tizzy) was a lackluster fifth in the A Gleam, easily one of the worst races of her nine-race career. She did, however, capture the Las Flores H. (G3) in April and is capable of much better. She can crash the exotics from slightly off the pace.

HIGHLAND TORREE (Menifee) and LA TEE (Broken Vow) ran one-two in a division of the August 1 CERF H., while SILKY SMOOTH (Mr. Greeley) was beaten a nose in the other division. None appear classy enough to challenge the top players. SPRING AWAKENING (In Excess [Ire]) finished behind Lethal Heat last time following a long layoff but also looks out of her league here. MAKOR'S LOVE (Makors Mark) will be hard-pressed to avoid trailing this field. She broke her maiden for a $50,000 tag two back and subsequently threw in the towel in a first-level allowance/optional claimer on turf.

1st-DEAREST TRICKSKI
2nd-MAGNIFICIENCE
3rd-SOCIETY HOSTESS

BALLERINA S.na and could also challenge for it all with regular Alonso Quinonez flying in for the mount. LEAH'S SECRET (Tiger Ridge) just got up last out to score a three-quarter of a length win in the seven-furlong Chicago H. (G3) and was second by just a half-length in the 1 1/8-mile Arlington Matron H. (G3). The dark bay mare has proven herself both sprinting and going route distances, and could easily challenge in the top three in this spot.

BAYOU'S LASSIE (Outflanker) is a Grade 3 winner on the dirt, but has spent nearly all of her racing career on the turf. She might not be able to keep up with others in here. BARONESS THATCHER (Johannesburg) will either show up and threaten for the win or finish well back in the field. Based on her past races, the four-year-old filly has talent but is far too inconsistent for us to back.
1st-MISTICAL PLAN
2nd-SUGAR SWIRL
3rd-JIBBOOM

MOLLY PITCHER H.na S. (G2) and also captured last year's Allaire duPont Distaff. She hasn't shown quite that same form in three starts so far this campaign, but could jump up here following a third in the Lady's Secret S. over the track most recently. Joe Bravo was aboard that day and will be holding the reins for this one.

CZARINA'S GIRL (Unbridled Jet) was fourth in the Eatontown S. (G3) in her graded debut earlier this year and scored a 2 1/4-length allowance/optional claiming win on the turf in advance of this race. She could challenge for a share for trainer Patrick McBurney. TALKIN ABOUT LOVE (Not For Love), winner of last year's Monmouth Oaks (G3), has tailed off quite a bit since that one, running a well-beaten sixth in the Lady's Secret last out. We can't recommend.

1st-HYSTERICALADY
2nd-COWGIRLS DON'T CRY
3rd-LEXI STAR

Brad Free

Del Mar

FIRST RACE:
1.Soupy 2. Toasted 3.Mr. Chairman

SOUPY runs best when he sets or presses a slow pace over a
long distance, and that is the scenario in this mile and threeeighths
turf race. SOUPY drew away last time around two
turns, and could be the controlling speed in this three-turn race.
He can lead gate to wire. T O A S T E D won an identical
(N1X/optional $40k claiming, marathon) race last month, and
returns at the same level for winning connections. MR. CHAIRM
A N finished second in back-to-back N1Xs this meet at shorter
distances. No reason he cannot stay a mile and threeeighths.
The horse that beat him last time is a promising import
from Australia. RATHER BE LUCKY will pick up the pieces.

SECOND RACE:
1.Toro Bonito 2. Red White and Brew 3.Magic Roberta

TORO BONITO chased the dazzling 2-year-old filly
Empressive Lady first out, and finished second while more
than two clear of third. The race was partly flattered when
third-place finisher Century Park returned Wednesday to finish
second. TORO BONITO shows two good works since raced,
and should improve a bunch second time out. Speedster RED
WHITE AND BREW is the one to catch. Last out, she smoked
the fastest opening half of the meet for five and a half furlongs
(45.01 seconds), and did well to hold second. She could be
gone up front. MAGIC ROBERTA raced evenly to split the
field in a solid schooling debut. She will improve. INTERNALLYFLAWLESS
is a first-time starter who reportedly outworked
the clever debut winner Midshipman (a colt) on Aug. 10. The
inside post is a tough draw for a rookie 2-year-old, but the
Giant’s Causeway filly does have ability.

THIRD RACE:
1.Gem Proof 2. Westerly Magic 3.Hockey the General

GEM PROOF was compromised by slow fractions (pacesetters
ran 1-2 all the way) last time, while wheeling back too
soon (13 days) after a big comeback. Freshened a month, he
gets a favorable pace scenario and takes a huge drop from
N2X/optional claiming. WESTERLY MAGIC chased race-1
contender Toasted last time, missing by only three and onehalf
lengths while possibly racing beyond his distance preference.
He cuts back to a middle distance (mile and a sixteenth)
and will roll late in a race that should unfold at an honest pace
set by stretch-out sprinters CARMAN and IRISH TY.
Meanwhile, HOCKEY THE GENERAL makes the third start of
his comeback. This should be his best effort.

FOURTH RACE:
1.Majormotionpicture 2. Empire House 3.Launching Pad

MAJORMOTIONPICTURE has trained like the real deal, including
consecutive five-furlong works this month that received the rarely
used “breezing” designation from clockers. ‘PICTURE must overcome
the inside post (always tough for a rookie), but if he runs like
he works, he can overcome the hurdle. EMPIRE HOUSE ran a lot
better second time than in his debut. He goes from inside to outside,
where he should get a waiting ride while racing in the clear.
LAUNCHING PAD has a bunch of fast works for his debut.

FIFTH RACE:
1.Tommys Luck 2. McMurtry 3.Ace High Hand

TOMMYS LUCK won his comeback with speed to spare, he
was claimed off the big win by a top stable, and is wheeled
back in two weeks. MCMURTRY is the speed of the field. He
set a strong pace and rolled gate to wire in his debut, and if he
gets the opening half-mile in 45 seconds again, he will have a
commanding lead turning for home. ACE HIGH HAND has the
best last-start figure in the field (93 Beyer), and he also can
run from behind.

SIXTH RACE:
1.Left Unsaid 2. Cavanal 3.Holy Thunder

The first leg of the pick six is impossible. LEFT UNSAID
returns to turf after a good third in a highly rated dirt race, and
he can win this if he transfers his synthetic form to grass. It’s a
big “if” because he promises more than he delivers.
C A V A N A L finished in front of the top selection in his most
recent start June 14. CAVANAL runs well fresh (second in his
debut, third in his March comeback), and should have the
jump on the top pick. Lightly raced HOLY THUNDER is eligi -
ble to improve.

SEVENTH RACE:
1.Magnificience 2. Dearest Trickski 3.Society Hostess

M A G N I F I C I E N C E re-established herself as the top female sprinter
in California last out, even while finishing second. She broke
dead last, cut loose with a huge five-wide move through the turn,
and rallied as best she could behind a loose-on-the-lead front-runner.
Her works on this racetrack have been super all summer,
and if she breaks with the field, she can “put on a show” as the
most probable winner on the card. She will have to catch her
nemesis DEAREST TRICKSKI, who got loose last time and
wired the field. She may be the controlling speed again. However,
if the top choice breaks with the field she will be right on top of the
pace. SOCIETY HOSTESS has not raced since a nose defeat in
February in the G1 Santa Monica. She will be rolling late.

EIGHTH RACE:
1.Midnight Lute 2. In Summation 3.Rebellion

When he is on his game, there is no better seven-furlong-miler in
the U.S. than MIDNIGHT LUTE. And he is on his game. ‘LUTE
has posted a series of dazzling works for his first start of the
year, he runs well fresh, and he enters as simply the best, fastest
horse. IN SUMMATION had a tough trip last month in the six-furlong
Bing Crosby, finishing second after getting stuck behind runners
into the lane, hopelessly blocked, while the winner rallied
wide in the clear. IN SUMMATION found a seam late, finished
well and missed by only a length. If this race were six furlongs,
he might be the choice. The question is whether his closing kick
is effective at seven furlongs. The 5-year-old has become a terror
on synthetics at mostly shorter distances; he will make a run.
REBELLION returns to his preferred one-turn distance.

NINTH RACE:
1.Whatsthescript 2. Daytona 3.Monzante

WHATSTHESCRIPT switches to Garrett Gomez and shortens
to his preferred one-mile distance. He should get a cozy trip
right behind front-runner DAYTONA, and get first run into the
lane. He can win if he can hold off MONZANTE. Those three
top-class horses wrap up the race. DAYTONA tossed in a
clunker in his most recent start two months ago, but the frontrunning
gelding has otherwise been a gem of consistency. He
won six graded stakes in his seven starts before his recent
flameout, and the two-month freshening can only help. MONZANTE
uncorked a vicious turn of late speed to win the Eddie
Read going away, and there is not a better finisher in the field.

TENTH RACE:
1.Go Between 2. Student Council 3.Zappa

Two shippers from the East Coast - GO BETWEEN and STUDENT
COUNCIL - hold the clear advantage. And if the Pacific
Classic unfolds as expected, GO BETWEEN can tuck into a
comfortable midpack trip just off the speed, and mow them
down late. GO BETWEEN was compromised by slow fractions
last time when second in the Hollywood Gold Cup, but the
pace of this race will be contested. The field includes four
front-runners/pace-pressers and is sure to be run at a quick
clip. GO BETWEEN finished first or second all five starts on
synthetic, and is the rock-solid favorite to knock out his first
G1. STUDENT COUNCIL won this race last year when the
track was slow, but he also can run on quick surfaces. Second
with trouble in a Grade 1 last month at Saratoga, and a G1
winner in the mud at Pimlico in May, STUDENT COUNCIL is
the proven “class” of the field, and figures to be positioned in a
similar spot to the top choice. ZAPPA destroyed a soft field in
the mile and one-half, ungraded Cougar Handicap last time,
and he absolutely loves this racing surface. Though he won
the lead last out, he can rally from behind.

ELEVENTH RACE:
1.Banner Lodge 2. Black Wolf 3.Fine Flyer

BANNER LODGE has a series of bullet works for his first start
since April. All systems go for the leading stable. BLACK
WOLF was compromised by a fast pace in his first try vs. winners.
He is stuck on the rail, but might be the speed of the
field. Come catch him. FINE FLYER missed by a head in a
good comeback. He can improve second start back.