Sunday, August 29, 2010

“Richard's Kid repeats Pacific Classic by 3/4 length”

“Richard's Kid repeats Pacific Classic by 3/4 length”

Richard's Kid repeats Pacific Classic by 3/4 length

Posted: 28 Aug 2010 11:41 PM PDT

DEL MAR, Calif. — Richard's Kid oulasted Crowded House by three-quarters of a length to win the $1million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Saturday for the second consecutive year.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Richard's Kid ran 1¼  miles in 2:03.27 in the West's richest race. He is the third horse to win the Pacific Classic twice, joining Skimming (2000-01) and Tinners Way (1994-95).

Trainer Bob Baffert wasn't on hand to celebrate his four-win day. He was back East at Saratoga, where he saddled Rapport to win The Victory Ride. He also won the GradeI Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar with El Brujo, along with the seventh race. His cell phone wasn't working, so he wasn't available for comment.

Baffert openly dislikes Del Mar's synthetic Polytrack surface.

"Think he's smiling now?" a grinning Smith said.

Fellow Hall of Famers Smith and Baffert each won the Classic for the third time.

Dakota Phone was another half-length back in third. The Usual Q.T. finished fifth as the 5-2 favorite. Awesome Gem was last in the field of 10 in his record fourth bid to win.

Richard's Kid had just one horse beaten down the backside. But Isle of Giant's was setting a slow pace up front, and Richard's Kid has a stretch-running style.

The same tactics worked last year. Richard's Kid came from next-to-last and passed Einstein in the final few jumps to win by a neck.

This year, Richard's Kid paid $11.60 to win. A year ago, he and Smith won at 24-1, third-biggest upset in the race's 20-year history.

After winning last year's Classic for owner Arnold Zetcher, Richard's Kid was sold to Zabeel Racing International Corp., the racing operation of Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum. He is the oldest son of Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai who owns Darley and Godolphin stables.

Richard's Kid earned an automatic spot in the $5million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov.6.

"We'll leave that up to Bob," said Omar Trevino, al Maktoum's racing manager.

Richard's Kid won the San Antonio Handicap at Santa Anita on Feb.7 in his debut for his new owner, then finished seventh in the $10million Dubai World Cup. He came into the Classic off consecutive third-place finishes in two stakes.

Pat O'Brien: El Brujo led all the way to defeat Crown of Thorns by a half-length in the $300,000 race. He ran seven furlongs in 1:21.70 under Joel Rosario and paid $9.60 to win. El Brujo earned an automatic berth in the BC Sprint. The 6-5 favorite, Smiling Tiger, was another 4¼ lengths back in third.

Del Mar Mile: Enriched led all the way in winning the $190,000, GradeII race by three-quarters of a length over Meteore to earn a spot in the BC Mile.

Ridden by Joel Rosario, Enriched ran one mile on the turf course in 1:34.83 and paid $6.40 to win. Bruce's Dream was another neck back in third.

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