California Chrome, Dortmund post final moves for Pacific Classic

Edited Press Release

California Chrome and Dortmund, the 1-2 finishers at the end of a heart rate-accelerating stretch duel in the July 23 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, put in their final works Sunday for a rematch in next Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic (G1).

2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome, North American racing’s top all-time money earner, went five furlongs in 1:00.20 under exercise rider Dihigi Gladney over the fast dirt Los Alamitos Race Course in Orange County, the headquarters for the stable of trainer Art Sherman.

Sherman’s hand-timed splits for California Chrome during the workout were :12, :24 and :36 “and change.”

“He looked good and finished strong,” Sherman said via telephone. “We’re ready.”

California Chrome will travel to Del Mar on Monday with an expected mid-morning arrival time.

Dortmund, winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and third behind retired stablemate American Pharoah in the Kentucky Derby (G1) last year, worked seven furlongs in 1:24.60 under Rafael Bejarano for trainer Bob Baffert on Del Mar’s fast main track.

After the work, Baffert said that Bejarano would ride Dortmund in the Pacific Classic and the four-year-old son of Big Brown would be the lone representative from the Baffert stable. Baffert had also nominated Hoppertunity and Arrogate to the Pacific Classic.

Dortmund worked in company with Drefong, breaking off a length behind, stalking two or three lengths behind for the first two furlongs then drawing even in upper stretch and staying that way past the finish line.

Track clockers had Dortmund in splits of :12, :23.80, :36.40, :59.80 and 1:11.60. Drefong was given 1:12 for six furlongs.

“(Dortmund) worked very nicely, we’re very happy with it,” Baffert said.

In other Pacific Classic news, trainer Richard Mandella said defending champion Beholder would have a short and easy work Tuesday or Wednesday.

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 a third-place finish under Kent Desormeaux in 2014 and a fifth-place finish under Corey Nakatani in 2015.

California Chrome and Dortmund photo courtesy of Benoit Photos

TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PACIFIC CLASSIC DAY

First post 2:05 p.m. (PT)

Eleven races

Pacific Classic is race No. 9

Approximate time for Pacific Classic is 6:10 p.m.

Gates open officially at 11:30 a.m.

Daybreak at Del Mar will take place from 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Valet parking begins at 9:30 a.m.

General parking begins at 7 a.m., main gate

Main Gate opens at 7 a.m., Solana Gate opens at 10 a.m.

Double Decker busses from Solana Train Station begin at 8:30 a.m.