Go Between, the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Sunday's Grade I, $1-million Pacific Classic on Del Mar's main track, is a study in consistency over the past year, and a good bit of that is the result of an obvious fondness for synthetic surfaces.
The 5-year-old son of Point Given has been worse than second only once in his last eight starts. Five of those races -- and all four this year -- have come on synthetic surfaces, three of them in Southern California.
So, after that grass race, where he finished second, and another at Louisiana Downs, it was decided to give him a try on synthetics. He was entered in Keeneland's Grade III Fayette Handicap October 27 and he came home a neck winner. The horse went back on the turf for Calder's Tropical Park Turf Handicap December 1, where he finished sixth.
It's been synthetic ever since. He won the Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita in January, and then finished second in the Santa Anita Handicap, the Ben Ali Handicap at Keeneland in April and the Hollywood Gold Cup June 28. While not a winner in those races, he did finish ahead of Pacific Classic foes Awesome Gem in the Big 'Cap and Student Council in the Hollywood Gold Cup, won in gate-to-wire fashion by Mast Track, also a Pacific Classic entrant.
McCarthy gives the main credit to Mott's trademark patience with his horses. "He knew he was good," McCarthy said. "He sent him to me in Kentucky because he thought he might do well on the Midwest circuit and could build his confidence."
McCarthy expects Go Between to be in his normal spot behind the first flight of horses in the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic. "We're not going to change his running style at all," McCarthy said. "And Garrett [jockey Garrett Gomez] knows him very well."
The horse went through the paddock this morning on his way to galloping 1 1/4 miles. He'll school in the paddock this afternoon in the third race.
In something of an uncharacteristic move, trainer Craig Dollase sent Awesome Gem out for a 3-furlong blowout this morning in 35.20 with regular exercise rider Mario Uribe up. He worked in tandem with Zetterberg, who was given the same time.
Of the work, Dollase didn't think it was so unusual for him to call for a blowout following what was considered the final work last Saturday before the Pacific Classic. "I do what I think I need to do," he said, not expanding on why he thought he needed to work the horse. "It's a matter of instincts. Sometimes you decide to call an audible; you have to follow your gut feeling.
"I just hope we can overcome the 1 hole [post position]."
The trainer was happy with the work, and the horse seemed even happier as he cooled out.
Joining Go Between in schooling sessions will be McCann's Mojave, who galloped 1 1/2 miles this morning, in the second race, and Student Council, who galloped an easy mile, in the fifth.
Here are the results of Wednesday night's post-position draw:
Post…..Horse………….Trainer……..Jockey………Morning Line
1.....Awesome Gem.....Craig Dollase.....Tyler Baze.......... ..... 5-1
2.....Mostacolli Mort.....Julio Canani..........Victor Espinoza..........12-1
3.....Zappa.................John Sadler..........Alan Garcia...........15-1
4.....Surf Cat..............Bruce Headley.....David Flores............6-1
5.....Barcola................Mark Hennig..........Corey Nakatani......20-1
6.....Go Between.......... W.I. Mott..........Garrett Gomez.......... 3-1
7.....Well Armed.......... Eoin Harty..........Aaron Gryder..........10-1
8.....Mast Track............Robert Frankel.........Rafael Bejarano.....6-1
9 .....Delosvientos.........Giuseppe Iadisernia.....Joel Rosario........30-1
10....Student Council.....Steven Asmussen.....Shaun Bridgmohan....7-2
11....McCann's Mojave...Steven Specht..........Julio Garcia.............15-1
BAFFERT EXPECTS BIG MIDNIGHT LUTE EFFORT IN O'BRIEN 'CAP
"Midnight Lute looks good, he's training terrific, he's healthy and he's ready to go."
That's Bob Baffert talking, and he means every word of it, not in a cocky way, just matter-of-factly. That could mean trouble for the rest of the field of 12 in Sunday's Grade II, $300,000 Pat O'Brien Handicap at 7 furlongs on the main track.
Midnight Lute was made the 9-5 morning-line favorite at last night's post-position draw.
The 2007 Eclipse Award sprint champion and winner of the Breeders' Cup Sprint in the slop at Monmouth Park will be making his first start of the year and has an impressive string of workouts on Del Mar's main track, including three bullet works and a record-breaking 7-furlong work in 1:21.60 August 7. It won't go into the record books because it came in a work instead of a race.
The 5-year-old son of 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Real Quiet came back on this past Monday to drill 5 furlongs in 58.20, best of 84 at the distance.
Another entrant coming off a long layoff is Hewitts, who last raced May 3 in the Grade II, 7-furlong Churchill Downs Handicap, where he finished third. Trainer Bob Hess Jr. isn't certain the horse will go in the Pat O'Brien, though he said, "We got a great draw, and we'll see how the pace scenario might play out. If we can make an easy lead or if we think he can be comfortable out in the open, we'll go. If not, we'll run in the Pirate's Bounty [Wednesday, September 3]."
Here's the field:
Post..Horse ..........Trainer .............Jockey .........Morning Line
1.....Decado..........Patrick Gallagher.....Alex Solis...............30-1
2.....Rebellion..........H. Graham Motion.....Rafael Bejarano......15-1
3.....Midnight Lute.....Bob Baffert..........Garrett Gomez.......... 9-5
4.....Lewis Michael.....Wayne Catalano.....Rene Douglas.......... 8-1
5.....Arson Squad..........Bruce Headley.....David Flores...............15-1
6.....Barbecue Eddie.....Brian Koriner.....Aaron Gryder.......... 8-1
7.....Doppio..........Carla Gaines..........Jose Valdivia Jr...........10-1
8.....In Summation.....Christophe Clement Corey Nakatani.......... 5-2
9.....Tall Texan ..........Richard Mandella.....Joe Talamo...............30-1
10 .....Hewitts..........Bob Hess Jr...........Victor Espinoza..........15-1
11.....Hurry Up Austin.....Mel Stute..........Jon Court...............30-1
12.....How's Your Halo.....Brian Prichard.....Tyler Baze...............15-1
FOUR IN DEL MAR MILE RATE CLOSE CONSIDERATION AS FAVORITES
Testament to the competitive field of 11 set for Sunday's Grade II, $400,000 Del Mar Mile on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course is the small spread among the top four on the morning line issued last night at the post position draw.
Multiple graded stakes winner Daytona was made the favorite at 5-2, but right behind at 3-1 are Whatsthescript and Storm Military, second and third in Del Mar's Grade I Eddie Read Handicap. At 7-2 is Eddie Read winner Monzante.
Here's the lineup:
Post.Horse…………..Trainer…………..Jockey…….Morning Line
1.....Porto Santo..........Julio Canani..........Tyler Baze...............20-1
2.....Dark Islander.....Neil Drysdale.....Joel Rosario...............12-1
3.....Storm Military.....Robert Frankel.....David Flores............... 3-1
4.....Whatsthescript.....John Sadler..........Garrett Gomez.......... 3-1
5.....Bold Chieftain.....William Morey Jr......Russell Baze............... 8-1
6.....Global Hunter.....A.C. Avila..........Jose Valdivia Jr...........30-1
7.....One Union..........Richard Mandella.....Victor Espinoza..........15-1
8 .....Daytona..........Dan Hendricks.....Alex Solis............... 5-2
9.....Stoneside..........Julio Canani..........Mike Smith...............15-1
10 .....Monzante..........Mike Mitchell.....Rafael Bejarano.......... 7-2
11AE.....Willow O Wisp.....Nathan Wallis.....Brice Blanc...............30-1
HEADLEY'S MAGNIFICIENCE HEADS RANCHO BERNARDO 'CAP
Three-time winner Magnifience, trained by Bruce Headley, rules as a slight 3-1 morning-line favorite for Sunday's Grade III, $200,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track. Dearest Trickski is second choice at 7-2.
Here's the lineup:
Post........Horse............Trainer......Jockey .........Morning Line
1.....Silky Smooth..........Jeff Mullins..........Rafael Bejarano.......... 8-1
2.....Makor's Love.....Herbert Ho..........Julio Garcia...............50-1
3.....Magnificience.....Bruce Headley.....David Flores............... 3-1
4.....La Tee...............Mark Glatt..........Tyler Baze...............15-1
5.....Tiz Elemental.....Carla Gaines..........Joel Rosario............... 6-1
6.....Lethal Heat..........Barry Abrams.....Alex Solis............... 6-1
7 .....Dearest Trickski.....John Sadler..........Mike Smith............... 7-2
8.....Society Hostess.....Christophe Clement Jose Valdivia Jr........... 5-1
9.....Spring Awakening.....Mike Mitchell.....Garrett Gomez.......... 8-1
10.....Highland Torree.....Rafael DeLeon.....Martin Garcia..........12-1
SIX-HORSE FIELD LINING UP FOR FRIDAY'S CTT & TOC HANDICAP
The classy filly Green Lyons, victim of a troubled trip in the Grade I John C. Mabee Handicap August 3, hopes to get back on the winning trail Friday in the CTT and Thoroughbred Owners of California Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
The Neil Drysdale trainee figures to be the heavy favorite in a field of six fillies and mares, 3 years old and older. She'll carry high weight of 117 pounds, including jockey David Flores.
Second high weight at 116 is Marzelline, with Tyler Baze in the saddle. At 114 are High Heel Sneakers, with Victor Espinoza, and Swiss Current, with leading rider Rafael Bejarano, and right behind is Desertstormelite at 113, with Julio Garcia.
Getting in as the lightweight in the field is Hopehopehope at 108, with Joe Talamo in the irons.
THREE FREE HANDICAPPING SEMINARS RULE ON THE WEEKEND
The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's regular free handicapping seminars will hold forth again this weekend on the Seaside Terrace near the head of the stretch.
On Friday, Daily Racing Form staffers Steve Andersen and Brad Free will offer their insights into handicapping style as well as share their thoughts on the day's card. The seminar runs from 2:30 to 3 p.m.
Saturday's guest will be Tom Whayne, Time Warner racing expert, who will be on tap from 12:30 to 1:15, and Sunday's featured handicapper, in the same time frame, will be Jeff Nahill, North County Times racing writer/handicapper. Those seminars will be at the Seaside Terrace, also.
DINNER WITH 3 HALL OF FAMERS BEING AUCTIONED FOR CHARITY
The Race Track Chaplaincy of America is auctioning on eBay an opportunity for the winning bidder and seven friends to dine with racing Hall of Fame riders Laffit Pincay Jr., Pat Day and Mike Smith.
The auction will benefit the organization's Southern California Division at Del Mar.
The private dinner for eight and the three jockeys is set for 7 p.m. Monday, August 25, at Pamplemousse Grille near the racetrack. The auction can be accessed on eBay by typing in Dinner with the Dynasties. The auction closes at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 24.
In addition, Day and Pincay, who are both retired, and Smith, active on the Southern California circuit and riding now at Del Mar, will sign autographed win photos at Del Mar on Monday, August 25, also to benefit the local chaplaincy.
MAIN TRACK MAINTENANCE:
On Tuesday, the Polytrack surface was power-harrowed and rototilled to a depth of six (6") inches. The track was returned to training and racing depth of approximately two inches and consistency through Gallop Mastering and watering.
Thursday, there were three loads of water (by water truck) added to the racetrack between training and racing time. Additionally, there will be one load of water applied to the running lanes after the day's second race.
Barring notable weather changes, a similar watering pattern will be followed each racing day, with the exception of Fridays and its later start.
On Fridays, following training hours, the track will be power-harrowed to a depth of four (4") inches, then returned to training and racing depth and consistency through Gallop Mastering and watering. No additional water will be added to the track during the racing card Fridays.
SHORE LINES -- It's "Donuts at Del Mar" time again, the second and final gathering of the 43-day meeting at the Seaside Terrace near the top of the stretch. It gets started at 8 a.m. and runs until 10. Featured guests are leading trainer John Sadler, retired Hall of Famer rider Eddie Delahoussaye and former jockey Darrell Haire, the western representative of the Jockey Guild. Track announcer Trevor Denman acts as master of ceremonies for question-and-answer sessions with the guests ... Resort-style shirts will be given away to fans, as long as the supply lasts, as a welcome to Pacific Classic Day, Sunday, August 24 ... A charity poker tournament and silent auction is scheduled for tonight beginning at 6:30 at the Del Mar Hilton. The charity event offers an evening of poker action, food and fun for the California Retirement Management Account (CARMA) to benefit California's retired racehorses ... Four O'Clock Friday is back with a 3:30 first post time as dusk keeps coming earlier. Following the races will be a concert by Black Francis (The Pixies) in the Plaza de Mexico ... Fans can have breakfast and watch the horses in morning workouts Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 to 9:30 at Daybreak at Del Mar in the Clubhouse Terrace Restaurant.
TRAKUS FACTS -- Wed., 8/20 -- Peak Speed: Race 6 (Polytrack) -- Ms. Toomsuba -- 42.5 mph (first eighth); Race 5 (Turf) -- Daniella Roth -- 42.4 mph (first eighth); Fastest Late Stretch Run: Race 6 (Polytrack) -- She Floats -- 36.8 mph (final 16th); Race 3 (Turf) -- Charmo -- 39.1 mph (final 16th).
DEL MAR COMBINED JOCKEY & TRAINER STATISTICS
(Current Through Wednesday, August 20, 2008)
Jockey -- Mts -- 1st -- 2nd -- 3rd -- Win% -- Money Won
Rafael Bejarano -- 156 -- 33 -- 36 -- 33 -- 21% -- $1,854,634
Joel Rosario -- 170 -- 28 -- 21 -- 28 -- 16% -- $1,136,642
Tyler Baze -- 156 -- 27 -- 22 -- 20 -- 17% -- $1,235,650
Garrett Gomez -- 104 -- 25 -- 14 -- 12 -- 24% -- $1,485,921
Victor Espinoza -- 110 -- 12 -- 15 -- 12 -- 11% -- $719,510
Alex Solis -- 87 -- 10 -- 18 -- 18 -- 11% -- $803,540
Martin Garcia -- 94 -- 10 -- 14 -- 11 -- 11% -- $496,228
David Flores -- 87 -- 9 -- 13 -- 14 -- 10% -- $893,385
Joseph Talamo -- 100 -- 9 -- 12 -- 7 -- 9% -- $502,836
Martin Pedroza -- 92 -- 9 -- 9 -- 10 -- 10% -- $375,717
Trainer -- Sts -- 1st -- 2nd -- 3rd -- Win% -- Money Won
John W. Sadler -- 82 -- 25 -- 20 -- 5 -- 30% -- $1,464,743
Mike R. Mitchell -- 59 -- 14 -- 7 -- 12 -- 24% -- $800,390
Jeff Mullins -- 59 -- 13 -- 15 -- 8 -- 22% -- $478,595
Doug F. O'Neill -- 76 -- 13 -- 14 -- 11 -- 17% -- $637,061
Jerry Hollendorfer -- 40 -- 11 -- 3 -- 10 -- 28% -- $421,809
Peter Miller -- 29 -- 7 -- 5 -- 2 -- 24% -- $234,700
Barry Abrams -- 33 -- 7 -- 3 -- 6 -- 21% -- $521,471
Patrick Gallagher -- 28 -- 6 -- 5 -- 6 -- 21% -- $472,760
Clifford W. Sise, Jr. -- 23 -- 6 -- 4 -- 3 -- 26% -- $203,908
William Spawr -- 33 -- 5 -- 4 -- 3 -- 15% -- $195,896
Winning Favorites Report
(Current Through Wednesday, August 20, 2008)
Winning favorites -- 83 out of 263 -- 31.56%
Winning favorites on dirt -- 59 out of 201 -- 29.35%
Winning favorites on turf -- 24 out of 62 -- 38.71%
Winning odds-on favorites -- 18 out of 32 -- 56.25%