All Aboard Express Train in Pacific Classic
The $1 million race runs at Del Mar on Saturday
Nine runners will run in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, which has been won by some of America’s greatest Thoroughbreds.
They will be looking to add their names to the likes of Maximum Security, Accelerate, California Chrome, and Collected.
Heading the field is Express Train, who will be looking to see off a charge from Royal Ship, Tripoli and Tizamagician. It’s an open online betting field for the Del Mar Grade I feature.
Express Train Chugging Along Nicely
The 4-year-old son of Union Rags has yet to win at Grade I level but comes off a tidy win in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar.
He managed to beat race rivals Tripoli and Royal Ship, so it’s a quality form guide and it should hold an important bearing on the Pacific Classic.
Express Train has never had a better chance to win a Grade I after coming up short in three previous attempts. He ran fourth in the American Pharoah before running second in the Santa Anita Handicap and third in the Hollywood Gold Cup.
Pacific Classic notes from @DelMarRacing: Decision pending for Rock Your World, Shirreffs leans toward running only Express Train, Southwest shipper Sheriff Brown ‘going to try it’ https://t.co/NGsciCc2vi
📸: Evers/Eclipse Sportswire pic.twitter.com/3Kul7G6IGe
— Horse Racing Nation (@HR_Nation) August 15, 2021
His effort to finish second in the Santa Anita Handicap was tremendous. He got the better of Maxfield on that occasion, so there’s no reason why he can’t handle this level of opposition in the $1 million event.
Horse racing betting markets have Express Train at a value price and he should give bettors a good sight.
Royal Ship Nearing Top Form
The closest rival to Express Train is Royal Ship, who finished third behind him in the San Diego Handicap last month.
He is a son of Midshipman that scored a tough win in the Grade II Californian Stakes in April before running second in the Hollywood Gold Cup behind Country Grammer. He got the better of Express Train on that occasion, so they have been sparring all season.
Hope you’ll join us on @TVG starting at 4pm PT today for Live coverage of Post Position draw for @DelMarRacing ‘s Signature race, the $1,000,000 GRI @TVG Pacific Classic ! A field of 9 is entered Saturday, August 21st for the ‘Win & You’re In’ to Longines @BreedersCup Classic 🤓 pic.twitter.com/vt9UWu1BB8
— Todd Schrupp (@ToddTVG) August 17, 2021
Royal Ship has yet to win at Del Mar from three attempts, but they have come at top levels. It won’t be any easier in the Pacific Classic but the early online racebook confidence is a good sign.
He has been backed into +350, which is a value price for a runner that doesn’t know how to run a bad race.
Fincher Taking Stab with Sheriff Brown
We give trainer Todd Fincher credit for having a go with Sheriff Brown, who could be forgiven for his seventh in the San Diego Handicap.
The 5-year-old needed time to adjust to the different track conditions in Del Mar, having raced at the likes of Lone Star Park and Remington Park prior.
“That was pretty much a throw-out,” Fincher told The Paulick Report about the San Diego. “He had just shipped in and wasn’t comfortable in his surroundings. And he’s a horse that needs to be comfortable with his surroundings. We expect a lot better effort this time.”
The six-time winner from 21 starts has done most of his racing over shorter distances. However, Fincher is keen to try him over further.
“I’ve always wanted to try him at a longer distance, like a mile and a quarter,” Fincher said. “There are a lot of unknowns, but we’re going to try it.”
A bet on Sheriff Brown will result in a big payday for bettors. Markets currently have him at +3000 to win the Pacific Classic.
Tripoli Could Bloom at Del Mar
Tripoli, a 4-year-old colt, has come of age in 2021 after showing no early signs of being able to compete at Grade I level.
The John Sadler-trained runner finished 12th on debut at Santa Anita before turning that form around to break maidens. Despite the confidence-building win, he ran 11th at Del Mark at allowance level, but his form since has been handy.
Tripoli finished second, fourth and third in three subsequent runs before notching a second placing in the Grade II San Diego Handicap behind Express Train.
He wasn’t fancied to get that close and the son of Kitten’s Joy could continue his impressive recent form.
Bookmakers have him right there in the market for the Pacific Classic, and we wouldn’t be leaving him out. It could pay to watch for any late betting moves with this runner.