DEL MAR, Calif.— Summer Wind Equine’s Magic On Tap worked five furlongs under jockey Abel Cedillo in 59 seconds flat this morning for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in a final prep for the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic which is now one week away. It was one of five works, at Del Mar and Saratoga, by nominees for the signature event of the summer season.
“It went well. We’re running in the Pacific Classic,” Baffert said via text of Magic On Tap’s exercise.
Working with stablemate Private Mission, who Del Mar clockers also timed in :59 for five furlongs, Magic On Tap completed a series of three workouts since finishing fifth in the Grade II, $250,000 San Diego Handicap on July 17.
A stumble at the start severely compromised the 5-year-old son of Tapit’s chances in the 1 1/16-mile San Diego Handicap, the major prep for the 1 ¼-mile TVG Pacific Classic. Magic On Tap had arrived at Del Mar with a record of three victories in six career starts and earnings of $228,800 and was fresh from a win in the Grade II, seven-furlong Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita in May.
Later in the morning, Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella sent MyRacehorse or Spendthrift Farm’s Tizamagician out for a five-furlong work in one minute flat with an interim clocking of :36.20 under exercise rider Austin Solis, the son of retired Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis.
“He looked great. Couldn’t be better,” Mandella said of the 4-year-old son of Tiznow.
Tizamagician has five wins in 18 career starts and earnings of $427,851. He stamped himself as a TVG Pacific Classic contender by winning the 1 ½-mile, Grade III Cougar II Stakes on July 18.
Perry and Denise Martin’s Mo Mosa, trained by Michael Maker, went five furlongs in 1:00.60 at Del Mar under exercise rider Marcelo Medina in a teamwork with stablemate Fight On. Track clockers recorded splits of :11.2; :23.0; :35.2 and a final quarter in :25.1.
“It was a great work, we were very pleased with it,” said Nolan Ramsey, in charge of the Del Mar string for Maker. “We need to speak with the owners. The Pat O’Brien is an option, but it (Pacific Classic) is still on the table for discussion.”
Mo Mosa finished fourth — behind TVG Pacific Classic nominees Express Train, Tripoli and Royal Ship – in the San Diego Handicap shipping in from a stakes victory in May at Lone Star Park in Texas.
Cupid’s Claws, owned by Flawless Racing and partners and trained by Craig Dollase, worked five furlongs from the gate at Del Mar in 1:00 under Umberto Rispoli.
“He looked good, and he finished up very well,” Dollase said. “It’s a go for the Pacific Classic.”
At Saratoga, Todd Pletcher-trained Dr Post worked four furlongs in :49.22, 27thof 80 at the distance. “We’re pleased with his workout, and he’ll go west,” Pletcher said. “He is scheduled to ship on Tuesday.”
TVG Pacific Classic nominee The Great One went six furlongs in 1:13.20, but trainer Doug O’Neill said the 3-year-old is more likely to stay in competition with his age group peers in the $100,000 Shared Belief Stakes on August 29. Trainer Mike McCarthy said Independence Hall, who worked Friday, still has the Charlestown Classic as the main target.
CLOSERS – Selected works (other than Pacific Classic nominees provided above) from 210 officially timed this morning, courtesy of clocker/handicapper Toby Turrell: Howbeit (4f, :49.40); Smooth Like Strait (4f, :48.20); Big Fish (5f, 1:01.40); Edgeway (5f, 1:00.00) and Madone (5f, 1:02.40) … There will be a video and audio tribute on track and across Del Mar’s simulcast network today between the 4th and 5th races honoring track announcer Trevor Denman’s 50thanniversary of calling horse races.
