Expert Pick of the Week: Pacific Classic Stakes

Aug 19, 2021 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

An especially well-matched field of nine will travel 1 1/4 miles on the Del Mar dirt in Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic S. (G1). The marquee race of the summer meeting acts as a “Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In” challenge series contest with the first-place finisher gaining an automatic entry to the Classic (G1) on Saturday, Nov. 6.

Group 1 winner Royal Ship has been as good as ever since arriving in the U.S. for conditioner Richard Mandella. The gelded son of Midshipman finished a solid third in the recent San Diego H. (G2) on the course in his latest try in a race that will have him set up ideally for Saturday’s race. He is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Royal Ship was not especially impressive last season in the States when failing to hit the board from three outings, two of which came on the lawn. But the five-year-old has upped his game in a major way in 2021.

The Brazilian-bred ran a big one to miss by a length in the grassy Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) at Santa Anita to commence his campaign, and he broke through on the move to the dirt with a tally in the Californian S. (G2) next time out. Royal Ship finished a head second when running 10 furlongs in the subsequent Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), which preceded his latest result in the San Diego H.

He is equipped with good tactical speed and will thrive on the stretch out in trip on Saturday, as his latest offering was used merely as a prep for this bigger prize. The talented gelding has been training in fine fashion in preparation for the Pacific Classic with a pair of half-mile morning moves sandwiched around a nice six-furlong drill two back,.

Mandella is an expert in getting a horse to peak for a particular race, as evidenced by his four Pacific Classic winners, the latest being the magnificent Beholder in 2015. He has Royal Ship primed for success on Saturday with regular pilot Mike Smith on board. I expect the top selection to track the strong pace from the second or third flight early, prior to putting in his best run approaching the turn for home.

Royal Ship winning the Pacific Classic is the Best Bet of the Week.