Pacific Classic -- Grade I

[alydar_ David]

I find this to be a difficult race to handicap. My confidence level is low and my bets will reflect that. Still, it's an interesting race to discuss.

I'm assuming there aren't any scratches.

Let's start with the morning line favorite, #10 The Usual Q.T.

The horse is obviously a champion, but how will Q.T. handle the poly today?
Looking at his 0 for 3 Dirt/Rt record and the one dismal poly race showing in his past performances he does not inspire confidence like a Grade I favorite should.

I'm throwing him out on the win end.

[alydar_ David]

Choosing contenders is difficult. Same with pacelines. It wouldn't take much to make me change my mind. As I said this whole race is a little shaky from my point of view. Be that as it may here's my BL/BL.

Please feel free to jump in the water.

[Ted Craven]

My Contenders:



The #10 The Usual QT is indeed the wild-card! Like you David, I prefer to err on the side of expecting more of a G1 winner. Do those slower turf times speed up on DMR poly? I will spend a little money to wager they don't (and perhaps even lay a few pence against him on Betfair...).

#6 Richard's Kid does seem to be a G1 horse on poly (and won this race last year), but what has he done for us lately? I won't mind being beat by him.

I do like consistent effort in G1 horses and the best I could come up with was good old #9 Awesome Gem and #3 Dakota Phone.

David, we're on the same page (though not off #9's Charles Town line )

Good luck!

Ted

[Bill V.]

race 8

[Ted Craven]

The Result:



A great run by Richard's Kid (again!)

.

[Ted Craven]

The Replay