Canadian record holder eyeing Pacific Classic

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Del Mar, CA (Sports Network) - Leading Canadian thoroughbred Delegation is probable for this year's 23rd edition of the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar Racetrack. The 4-year-old is trained by Mark Casse and owned by Gary Barber.

Delegation set a track record at Woodbine last time out in the $150,000 Dominion Day Stakes on Monday, July 1. The 4-year-old covered the 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.51 on Woodbine's synthetic main track.

"When this horse is on his game, he's probably as good a horse as I've ever trained," noted Casse. "He has an unbelievable stride. To go a mile and a quarter and to keep running the way he did just shows truly how good he is. When he's on his game he can probably run with any horse in North America."

Delegation finished 9 1/4 lengths ahead of runner-up James Street as the 6-5 favorite.

Delegation has six wins in 12 starts and was third to Tapizar in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last November at Santa Anita with career earnings of $537,751.

The 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic will go off on Sunday, Aug. 25. Last year's edition was won by 3-year-old colt Dullahan who defeated post-time favorite Game On Dude. Game On Dude, a two-time winner of the Santa Anita Handicap, has never won the Pacific Classic.

The Pacific Classic will again be a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" race, giving the winner an automatic place in the Breeders' Cup Classic.