The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)HELMSMAN IS WITHDRAWN FROM PACIFIC CLASSIC DUE TO MUSCLE PULL
A somber Wallace Dollase reported Sunday morning that Helmsman will not run against 1995 Horse of the Year Cigar in Saturday's $1,000,000, Grade I Pacific Classic at Del Mar because of a muscle pull in the rear part of his back.
"He actually did it probably some time ago, probably in the [Hollywood] Gold Cup [June 30]," the trainer said. "We gave him some time off. We thought he was OK and we were training him back, but the other day after the workout [July 27 at Del Mar], he was sore again."
Dollase said the injury is not career threatening, "but," he added, "if he's not 110 percent, I don't want to run him. It's very tempting, with the bonus, to run him around the track, but I don't want to do that."
Of the candidates for the Pacific Classic, only Helmsman and Luthier Fever were eligible for the MGM Grand Classic Crown participation bonus, which totals $500,000. To qualify, a horse must run in all three legs of the Classic Crown - the Santa Anita Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic. Helmsman finished fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap and third in the Gold Cup.
The trainer said he had no idea what kind of a layoff will be needed to remedy the muscle pull. "We'll start lasering him now and really working on it. We were kind of doing a half-baked job because of the race, but now we can really work on it the way it should be done."
Dollase said Helmsman, a 4-year-old son of El Gran Senor, will stay with his string of runners at Del Mar, so the colt can be treated under his care. "Maybe it's why he ran so-so in the Gold Cup," Dollase said. "I expected him to win that race."
Dollase has said several times that Helmsman would be running for the bonus, and that he [Dollase] had little hope of beating Cigar, who will be trying to set a modern-day record of 17 straight victories, at equal weights. While not being able to run the bay colt, owned by Horizon Stable, Jarvis and Stronach, is a disappointment for the Dollase barn, the trainer didn't hesitate to withdraw him. "He's too good a horse [to risk permanent injury] and has been too good to us. And he's only 4 years old. He'll be back."
LUTHIER FEVER WORKS 5 FURLONGS IN FINAL PACIFIC CLASSIC PREP
Trainer Eduardo Inda was pleased with the 1:01 2/5 that Luthier Fever clocked for 5 furlongs in his final serious work in preparation for the Pacific Classic Brice Blanc, who will ride Luthier Fever in the Classic, was in the irons for the workout Sunday morning.
"I told the boy to give him a nice even work, and he did that," Inda said, adding that his trainee may have "a little blowout on Friday, maybe a run through the stretch."
Trainer Robert Frankel sent Tinners Way out for a mile gallop in preparation for his final serious work for the Pacific Classic on Monday. Frankel said the 6-year- old son of Secretariat will work 6 furlongs.
Richard Mandella sent all three of his Pacific Classic candidates - Soul of the Matter, Siphon and Dare and Go - on more gallops, and said each would get one more work before Saturday's showdown with Cigar.
Dramatic Gold, who's still on the fence as a Pacific Classic candidate, galloped 2 miles Sunday morning. Trainer David Hofmans said, "He went strong. He's happy." Hofmans said the 5-year-old son of Slew o' Gold who finished third in the 1994 Pacific Classic, will work a half-mile on Wednesday, entry day for the Classic. If Dramatic Gold goes into the race, Alex Solis will ride.
W.I. "Bill" Mott said everything was going perfectly for Cigar as he prepares for Saturday's historic date, where he'll be trying to set a modern-day record of 17 consecutive victories. The son of Palace Music galloped again Sunday morning, heading toward a final workout of 4 or 5 furlongs on Wednesday morning. The reigning Horse of the Year - and Mott - will ship to Del Mar on Thursday.
FASTNESS HEADS CONTENTIOUS FIELD FOR DEL MAR'S EDDIE READ
One of the top turf runners in America, Fastness, tops a field of six in the 23rd running of the Grade I Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar Sunday. The race, at 1 1/8 miles, will be run over the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
If all six start, the purse will be $313,000. The winner's share will be $193,000. For every scratch deduct $1,500 from each figure.
IT'S ANOTHER "5-STAR MONDAY" FOR DEL MAR, CARL'S JR. FANS
Racing fans will get a taste of a real bargain as the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Carl's Jr. restaurants in San Diego County combine for the second "5-Star Monday" of the seaside track's season.
The special promotion, in effect for each of the seven Mondays of the season, will present racegoers with five elements - grandstand admission, an official program, a reserved seat, a hotdog and a small soft drink or beer, a $12.50 value all for $5. All one needs is a "5-Star Mondays" coupon from any Carl's Jr. location in San Diego County.
The coupon, along with $5, can be presented at Del Mar's grandstand special gate on any Monday.
ESPN TO AIR "CIGAR'S RACE TO HISTORY" AND PACIFIC CLASSIC PREVIEW
Cable television sports channel ESPN has scheduled "Cigar's Race to History," a special on the Thoroughbred's quest in Del Mar's $1,000,000 Pacific Classic for a modern-day record of 17 straight racing victories, Friday at 7 p.m. (PDT). Serving as masters of ceremonies for the special will be Chris Lincoln and Tom Durkin.
The show, a live half-hour presentation from Del Mar will include coverage of Cigar's streak, Citation's record of 16 consecutive victories, which was tied by Cigar July 13 in the Arlington Citation Challenge at Arlington International Racecourse, a preview of the Pacific Classic and its field, and interviews with Cigar's owner Allen Paulson, trainer W.I. "Bill" Mott and jockey Jerry Bailey.
On race day, Saturday, August 10, ESPN will televise the Pacific Classic at 3 p.m. (PDT) with hosts Dave Johnson and Charlsie Cantey. Durkin and jockey Gary Stevens will offer analysis. Post time for the Pacific Classic is 3:37 p.m. (PDT).
SHORE LINES: Best Pal, the all-time leading money winner among California-bred horses with $5,668,245, will be on the track at Del Mar this week preparing for his role as the leader of the post parade for Saturday's $1,000,000 Pacific Classic. The bay gelding, bred and owned by John and Betty Mabee's Golden Eagle Farm, will be stabled in trainer Richard Mandella's barn and is expected to gallop each day leading to his Pacific Classic date .... Mandella said Sunday morning that Matiara came out of her Ramona Handicap victory Saturday in good shape, and now will be pointed toward the Grade I Beverly D Stakes on August 24 at Arlington International Racecourse .... Marina Park, trained by Ian Jory, will miss the Grade III, $100,000-added Rancho Bernardo Handicap August 10 because of a lung infection, Jory said .... Larry the Legend got good marks from the clocker's stand Sunday morning for his 7-furlong workout in 1:29. He galloped out a mile in 1:42 1/5.
The Running Horse (http://www.isd1.com)