DEL MAR – With 23 horses nominated several hours before the midnight deadline, it appeared likely yesterday afternoon that the $1 million Pacific Classic would have a full field of 14 for its 18th running Aug. 24.
Some of those nominated – such as 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin and 2008 Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John – are being targeted for other races and clearly will not run.
But defending champion Student Council heads a group of three shippers that are solid prospects to join nearly a dozen Southern California-based probables.
Student Council will be put through a final workout at Saratoga on Monday and travel here Tuesday. Barcola, a winner of seven of 24 lifetime starts now trained by Mark Hennig, has a similar agenda.
Go Between, winner of the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita to start the year, is to work Monday at Churchill Downs and head for Del Mar on Wednesday.
Closers
Greek Joy, a 3-year-old filly making her second career start, suffered a fractured left knee in yesterday's first race and was euthanized. It was the third fatality during an afternoon racing card in the 26-day-old meeting . . . Jockey
Garrett Gomez was assessed a three-day suspension, beginning next Thursday, for causing interference aboard
The Supply Program in Wednesday's eighth race . . .
Joel Rosario had two winners to move into second place in the rider standings with 25 wins, two behind
Rafael Bejarano, who had none.
Hank Wesch: (619) 293-1853; hank.wesch@uniontrib.com
