Melatonin came down with a temperature this week that prevented trainer David Hofmans from working him as scheduled Friday morning at Del Mar, while possibly jeopardizing his status for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 20.
Winner of the Santa Anita Handicap and Gold Cup at Santa Anita, Melatonin has not been ruled out of the Pacific Classic yet. "We have time," Hofmans said Friday, adding that he needs to "get three works into him" in order to take on California Chrome and possibly Beholder in the $1 million Pacific Classic.
Although he has not worked since winning the Gold Cup on June 22, Melatonin does not typically require an extensive workout pattern to prepare for a race. He has been training regularly, but the Friday workout would have been his first breeze in preparation for the Pacific Classic in three weeks.
Then again, if he has been running a temperature, you would think he'd probably not be at the top of his game.
Melatonin is such an underrated horse. He's been so consistent, running race after race we other triple digit Beyers. It would be a shame to see him not run.
Soooo - will Beholder run ..or not??? I really was surprised that Stellar Wind won - happy but surprised
Quote from: Dusty on July 30, 2016, 10:15:36 PM
Soooo - will Beholder run ..or not??? I really was surprised that Stellar Wind won - happy but surprised
I don't think so. I think Mandella will wait a week to decide for sure but in the end will opt out. As he said things needed to be perfect. She ran a faster race, BSF-wise, this year but it was also much more stressful and that's the key. It also wouldn't shock me to hear that Dortmund ends up going to the Woodward. Except for having to ship, I think it's a better fit and it gives him more time to avoid the dreaded bounce.
Quote from: Dusty on July 30, 2016, 10:15:36 PM
Soooo - will Beholder run ..or not??? I really was surprised that Stellar Wind won - happy but surprised
Not, I think her next start will be in the Zenyatta, where she'll probably run against Stellar Windows again. I'd like to see Beholder in the BC Dirt Mile, so she can be the first horse in BC history to win 3 different races.
Wow, it would be a shame if she missed the race, but I understand that this could have taken a lot out of her.
Quote from: Man o Taz on August 01, 2016, 02:48:12 PM
Wow, it would be a shame if she missed the race, but I understand that this could have taken a lot out of her.
I'll be there, it would be a shame but I would understand it. Mandella is pretty conservative. I was almost shocked when he entered Beholder last year, but after thinking about it, it was pretty clear that Bayern wasn't the same horse as he was when he won the BC Classic and since the Mandella trained Catch A Flight won the San Diego, he had a very good read on the main competition. Beholder was at her absolute peak and it made a lot of sense as only the 10f was a question. An in-form Chrome--I'm still not convinced that Dortmund is going, after all he is nominated to for the Longacres Mile ;)--will be to be really tough but if she were to repeat last year's race she
could beat him, however she would have to run her eyeballs out. Now where that would leave her going forward is the question. Once a mare starts to sour, they are really tough to turn around. I'm glad I don't have to make the decision.
As always, thanks for the insights. It is a tough question. Having Mandela as her trainer is a good thing because we know if she is entered she will be ready to run.
And I agree. She could beat Chrome with her performance last year. Though, as you suggest, it would likely be a much tougher race for her and after two tough races what would that mean for the rest of the year. So maybe you skip it and point to the BC Classic like Zenyatta's connections did hoping to have a horse at the top of her game rather than one that may not be.
Quote from: Man o Taz on August 03, 2016, 07:52:47 AM
As always, thanks for the insights. It is a tough question. Having Mandela as her trainer is a good thing because we know if she is entered she will be ready to run.
And I agree. She could beat Chrome with her performance last year. Though, as you suggest, it would likely be a much tougher race for her and after two tough races what would that mean for the rest of the year. So maybe you skip it and point to the BC Classic like Zenyatta's connections did hoping to have a horse at the top of her game rather than one that may not be.
The other option is to run in the Pacific Classic and if she wins or loses narrowly, skip the Zenyatta and then go to which ever BC race looks most likely. You're right in that Mandella won't put her in unless he thinks she's got a strong chance to win.
Melatonin is out.
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/breeders-cup/illness-knocks-melatonin-pacific-classic/
Too, too bad.
This should not affect him for the BC Classic if he can fully recover.
He is a remarkable horse being able to win the Gold Cup off a long lay off.
Get well, Mel.
Mandela waiting on Beholder
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/aug/03/richard-mandella-beholder-del-mar-california/
Who is currently "confirmed" to be pointing for this race?
Quote from: stark on August 05, 2016, 11:34:11 AM
Who is currently "confirmed" to be pointing for this race?
California Chrome and Hard Aces. Hoppertunity is reportedly training for it. On the EMD press release announcing the LGA Mile nominees, it was noted that Baffert nominated Dortmund but he was expected instead to go in the Pacific Classic, although I've never seen a quote from Baffert himself. I was hoping Richie Baltas would nominate Imperative to the LGA Mile, but he didn't. Unless there is an issue with him, he probably will also go in the PC.
Article from the Paulick Report today about possible entries for the Pacific Classic: http://www.paulickreport.com/news/breeders-cup/pacific-classic-field-coming/ (http://www.paulickreport.com/news/breeders-cup/pacific-classic-field-coming/)
California Chrome
Dortmund
Beholder
Win the Space
War Story
Dalmore
Hard Aces
Hoppertunity
Cyrus Alexander
Chrome breezed a half in :47 4/5 this morning at Los Alamitos. He's scheduled to have another breeze next Sunday, then ship to Del Mar on the 15th. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/213983/california-chrome-back-to-work-at-los-al (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/213983/california-chrome-back-to-work-at-los-al)
Video of Chrome's work today, includes comments from Art Sherman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc25N8Yhp4k (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rc25N8Yhp4k)
DRF workout info shows that Dortmund worked on Aug. 1 going a half in :48 flat at Del Mar. I thought the news after the San Diego Hcp was that he shipped back to Los Al, but apparently not. Here's the line from the DRF workout sheet for him: Dortmund 08/01/2016 DMR 4F :48.00 Dirt Fast H
Jay Privman @DRFPrivman 2h2 hours ago
Dortmund 5f officially in 59.20 as he stays on course for rematch with California Chrome in Pacific Classic #delmar
Steve Andersen @DRFAndersen 4h4 hours ago
Del Mar: California Chrome works 4F in 47.80 http://live.drf.com/nuggets/31208
For those interested, I put the video of Chrome's work in my post at the bottom of Page 1.
Workmate Above Board inside DORTZILLA must be pretty good sized himself!
(I think he might be another one of the Baffert $350,000 auction buys that you can have for ten cents on the dollar next time he runs!)
(https://www.dmtc.com/data/assets/Press-Releases/2016-features/Dortmund.jpg)
EDIT****OOPS, that really has nothing to do with the Pacific Classic, sorry.
And thanks ZoeMetz for the great pic.
What's the two blue bands on his rear legs? Sensors for a remote system like DeKock said he used on his horses?
Also interesting that Dortmund does not work with the usual Baffert shadow roll.
Quote from: Man o Taz on August 09, 2016, 09:31:24 AM
Also interesting that Dortmund does not work with the usual Baffert shadow roll.
I saw Pharoah train last year at Del Mar and he didn't have one either. I might be over simplifying it, but there is almost always a pretty heavy marine layer in effect during training hours at Del Mar. There is rarely a shadow to be had.
DEL MAR, Calif. – After watching Beholder breeze five furlongs in 59 seconds here Wednesday, trainer Richard Mandell said she is likely to start in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 20.
Quote from: stark on August 10, 2016, 10:06:28 AM
DEL MAR, Calif. – After watching Beholder breeze five furlongs in 59 seconds here Wednesday, trainer Richard Mandell said she is likely to start in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 20.
That's is great news! I'll be landing at San Diego Airport at app. 2:30, that afternoon, and plan to head straight to the track. I hope folks don't throw out her last to inflate her price a bit.
Quote from: curtis on August 09, 2016, 12:10:40 PM
I saw Pharoah train last year at Del Mar and he didn't have one either. I might be over simplifying it, but there is almost always a pretty heavy marine layer in effect during training hours at Del Mar. There is rarely a shadow to be had.
Oh, I never thought Baffert had the horse use them for practical reasons. I always thought they were used so he could see them. Of course, the other issue is that it would be a shame to lose a race or get an injured horse from jumping a shadow.
Chrome reeled off a bullet 5F work in 1:00 1/5 at Los Alamitos this morning: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/214215/chrome-works-in-1-00-1-5 (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/214215/chrome-works-in-1-00-1-5)
See more Chrome news and interviews here: https://twitter.com/losalracing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw (https://twitter.com/losalracing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
read on twitter R. Bejarano will get the mount on Dortmound
Flavien, we hardly knew ye. :-(
The big guy worked on even terms with the very fast Drefong this morning although the latter was given a six furlong time and Dortzilla 7F in 1.24 (faster than Masochistic, FWIW).
Article from TwinSpires.com quotes Baffert as saying Hoppertunity and Arrogate will not run in the Pacific Classic. He is only entering Dortmund. http://www.twinspires.com/blog/2016/8/14/california-chrome-dortmund-post-final-moves-pacific-classic (http://www.twinspires.com/blog/2016/8/14/california-chrome-dortmund-post-final-moves-pacific-classic)
The field just shrank some more...
Beholder
California Chrome
Dalmore
Dortmund
Hard Aces
War Story
Win The Space
Is Imperative not in.
Trainer Richard Baltas said that Imperative was probable to run in the Classic for a third straight year and for a third different rider. Norberto Arroyo Jr., has the mount following Kent Desormeaux in 2014 and Corey Nakatani in 2015.
https://www.dmtc.com/media/stable-news/stable-notes-august-14-2016-673 (https://www.dmtc.com/media/stable-news/stable-notes-august-14-2016-673)
I've attended the last 2 Pacific Classics and won both. This year, sorry Beholder, but I'm picking Chrome. His last race was just what he needed - some good competition to crank those screws a bit. It won't be a cakewalk, I think he'll win by about 1 1/2 lengths.
Beholder will be a good 2nd, Dortmund 3rd.
Quote from: curtis on August 15, 2016, 08:59:25 AM
Is Imperative not in.
I had forgot him.
But peeptoad set the record straight.
Hating the #1 post position for Chrome.
Quote from: honneerider on August 16, 2016, 06:55:42 PM
Hating the #1 post position for Chrome.
I am too. I like Beholder to win anyway but now we'll be hearing until the Breeder's Cup, "Well, if he had drawn outside......"
If that ends up being the explanation for his performance and it could be a valid one, but it would certainly also demonstrate that like some other horses he needs a set up in order to be at his best.
Then again, if he wins the race he could show he has matured like Victor said he had earlier in the year and can run well on the inside now being a much more professional horse.
1. California Chrome (Victor Espinoza) 8-5
2. Hoppertunity (Flavien Prat) 8-1
3. War Story (Ricardo Mejias) 30-1
4. Hard Aces (Santiago Gonzalez) 15-1
5. Win The Space (Joe Talamo) 15-1
6. Imperative (Norberto Arroyo, Jr.) 20-1
7. Beholder (Gary Stevens) 5-2
8. Dortmund (Rafael Bejarano) 3-1
9. Dalmore (Kent Desormeaux) 20-1
Quote from: peeptoad on August 17, 2016, 08:56:45 AM
1. California Chrome (Victor Espinoza) 8-5
2. Hoppertunity (Flavien Prat) 8-1
3. War Story (Ricardo Mejias) 30-1
4. Hard Aces (Santiago Gonzalez) 15-1
5. Win The Space (Joe Talamo) 15-1
6. Imperative (Norberto Arroyo, Jr.) 20-1
7. Beholder (Gary Stevens) 5-2
8. Dortmund (Rafael Bejarano) 3-1
9. Dalmore (Kent Desormeaux) 20-1
Since I think it's a logical coin-flip between the top 3 who gets the best trip, guess I'll go with Dortmund if he'll be the highest price!
I almost forgot that Chrome did win the Dubai World Cup from the one hole.
Quote from: honneerider on August 17, 2016, 12:51:06 PM
I almost forgot that Chrome did win the Dubai World Cup from the one hole.
he won without a saddle, but wasn't it from the #10 stall?
(https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQAAPi050_MjcejBE0kQlKyWBuygy2eamSgApgvldgxqf04-fzzXw)
You are correct. Don't know what I was thinking. Remember living for that race!
Dumb reply by me
Quote from: honneerider on August 17, 2016, 12:51:06 PM
I almost forgot that Chrome did win the Dubai World Cup from the one hole.
Actually, you were nearly right. Chrome won from the 1 hole in Dubai, but it was in the race he ran prior to the World Cup. Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD3CmUlZ57U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD3CmUlZ57U) Chrome tends to break quickly, but was a little slow (for him) coming out of the gate in that race. But it gives a preview of what Victor will try to do in the Pacific Classic if he can manage it.
Thank you! Of course!
probably:
Beholder
Hoppertunity
CA Chrome/Win the Space/Dortmund
Beholder is definitely my top pick. I think Chrome might beat her, but I'll play against him as the more likely chalk from the undesirable post and off a monster effort first back. I'm not sold on Dortmund really wanting 10F against some of these, although there's no reason why he can't win I suppose. Win the Space may provide some value along with Hopper for bottom slots. The former has some improving to do, but the distance should be okay and the price will certainly be right. Same with ol' Hopper: he's proven in the 3rd/4th spot against this type of field, he could move up slightly with a better pace scenario and if one of the top 3 has an off day or a bad trip.
TVG Pacific Classic Preview From Youtube
https://youtu.be/IlCQFrI0rmI
Quote from: Man o Taz on August 19, 2016, 09:11:29 AM
TVG Pacific Classic Preview From Youtube
https://youtu.be/IlCQFrI0rmI
that was great :chickendance: Love those California trainers - tell it like it is and have a sense
of humor. Alan Sherman..."when Chrome comes up to her on the outside she is going to go
from Beholder to bewildered" lmao
going to be a great race
In the end I'm simply betting Hoppertunity to show, with a smaller WP bet. Good luck!
Quote from: peeptoad on August 20, 2016, 05:36:37 AM
In the end I'm simply betting Hoppertunity to show, with a smaller WP bet. Good luck!
Agree on the horse, but not the bet. IF he does run third behind the favorites, the payoff will be only $2.X0.
For a horse that's likable who for most of his adult life has gone off at 3/1 odds or less,
TODAY is the day to head to the WIN betting window, 8/1 is worth the larger shot!!!!!
Good luck, safe trip, see ya in the cashiers line!
Alright... at 24/1 right now. I increased my win bet. ;)
Aaaand... that's why I had a smaller win bet. ;)
That's why it's called gamblin.
Just betting the pass line in craps can get a little boring hoping for even money, same goes with blackjack. Some days you've just got to take a shot at some odds, imho it was a good bet, a losing one, but a good one nonetheless.
The good news is that we'll be invited back to play again tomorrow!!!!
Stevens: "Victor was playing with us. I don't think he let him run. That's kind of scary."
California Chrome earned career-high 113 Beyer crushing Pacific Classic on Sat at Del Mar,
runner-up Beholder 106,
Dortmund 102 in third.
Quote from: stark on August 20, 2016, 06:41:12 PM
That's why it's called gamblin.
Just betting the pass line in craps can get a little boring hoping for even money, same goes with blackjack. Some days you've just got to take a shot at some odds, imho it was a good bet, a losing one, but a good one nonetheless.
The good news is that we'll be invited back to play again tomorrow!!!!
Oh, I hear you... I take my punishment once in awhile and right back at it... bam. :thumbsup:
Quote from: peeptoad on August 21, 2016, 10:10:34 AM
Oh, I hear you... I take my punishment once in awhile and right back at it... bam. :thumbsup:
"My horses fired," Baffert said. "The other horse was too good. He was the better horse. Sometimes you've got to say you got your ass beat."
WOW!!!!
Pick-6 Players......
Of the five perfect Pick Six tickets Saturday, which paid $104,655.40 each, two were purchased on track here. The base price of one was $16,128, the other was $2
Did they go to Drexel University?