Nysos listed as probable, Journalism possible to race in Pacific Classic at Del Mar

DEL MAR – With the Pacific Classic less than two weeks away, racing secretary David Jerkens is anticipating a field of six to nine entries in the $1 million premier event of the summer meeting.

Heading the list of five horses that Jerkens ranks as “probable” is the Bob Baffert-trained Nysos, the impressive winner of the Grade II San Diego Handicap earlier in the meeting.

Others in that category are Baffert’s Mirahmadi, trainer John Sadler’s Indispensable, Peter Eurton’s Tarantino and Craig Dollase’s Midnight Mammoth.

Journalism and White Abarrio head the list of Jerkens’ four “possibles.” Others on that list are Malachuck (a Journalism stablemate in the Michael McCarthy barn) and Mark Glatt’s Ultimate Gamble.

Nominations close Thursday, although supplemental nominations can be made after the deadline for $10,000.

The final decision by many trainers on the Pacific Classic could revolve around Journalism. McCarthy and primary owner Aron Wellman will likely announce their plans for the Preakness and Haskell stakes winner later this week.

“The picture will start to get clearer in the next couple of days,” said Jerkens.

Two horses who once appeared committed to the Pacific Classic could change course. White Abarrio’s owners are considering keeping the horse in New York for the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga on Aug. 31 before shipping west for the Breeders’ Cup classic. Tarantino has been mentioned for next month’s Korea Cup.

Smilin throughout

Favorite Grand Slam Smile ($4.20) led wire-to-wire under jockey William Antongeorgi III to win the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes Sunday.

The 4-year-old daughter of Smiling Tiger held off second-choice Sneaker (Kazushi Kimura) down the stretch of the one-mile turf race for older fillies and mares. The pair ran 1-2 the entire distance and were seldom separated by more than a length.

“Sneaker ran a hell of a race,” said Antongeorgi. “But Smile is a good one. She battles. I was going to play the break. She broke well and once we were on the backside she relaxed. When her ears go up, you know. I knew at that point she was going to be super tough.

“I didn’t want to get into a speed duel. She just towed me up there.”

Grand Slam Smile has split time between the dirt and turf, spending much of her time in Northern California before trainer Steve Specht retired and turned the filly over to Sean McCarthy.

“She can be difficult,” McCarthy said of Grand Slam Smile. “But she stayed calm today. If you keep things quiet, she responds favorably. It’s fun to watch her perform.

“When she broke sharp like that and Billy went to the lead, I was good with that. Sneaker put on a heck of a run. But when you look Smile in the eye like that, she gets mad and she just dug in.”

Sprints on tap

Next weekend’s features will be a pair of sprint races.

Lovesick Blues, the longshot winner of the Grade I Bing Crosby last month, tops the list of 18 nominees for Saturday’s Grade II Pat O’Brien – a 7-furlong dirt sprint for older horses. The nominees include Baffert’s Speed Boat Beach, Philip D’Amato’s Stronghold and John Shirreffs’ Express Train.

Defending race champion Sweet Azteca looks to repeat in Sunday’s Grade III Rancho Bernardo, a 6 ½-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. Baffert has nominated three, including Richi, who won the Grade III Las Flores Stakes at Santa Anita earlier this year.

Notable

Former jockey Patrick Valenzuela, who still serves as an exercise rider at the age of 62, was hospitalized Sunday morning after being thrown while working a 3-year-old colt named Fire Mountain. Valenzuela, who rode 4,372 winners in his career, was reported to be sore but otherwise uninjured.

• Baffert debuted another brilliant 2-year-old Sunday under jockey Juan Hernandez. Explora, a daughter of Blame who brought a purchase price of $350,000, won her 5½-furlong maiden in 1:03.15.

• After favorites won the first four races Sunday, 40-1 longshot Harcyn (Armando Aguilar) survived a stewards’ inquiry to win the fifth race.

• Del Mar honored four World War II veterans between the fifth and sixth races Sunday.

• The Race Track Chaplaincy of California will hold its annual Backside Picnic and Barbecue Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m. adjacent to the backside kitchen. The RTCC has addressed the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of backside workers for more than 30 years.