The “Kid” Strikes Again in Pacific Classic

Zabeel Racing International’s Richard Kid and jockey Mike Smith got together for the first time since winning last year’s $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, and it was hard to tell they were apart that long.

Smith guided Richard’s Kid to back to back wins in Del Mar’s marquee race of the summer meeting, joining Tinners Way (1994, 1995) and Skimming (2000, 2001) as the only two-time winners of the race.

The Bob Baffert trainee stalked the early pace from the outside, came with a five wide bid around the far turn, rallied in the stretch while drifting in to grab the lead late and hold off Crowded House by three-quarters of a length.

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The son of Lemon Drop Kid paid $11.60 as the second choice in the field of ten, and pushed the five-year- old over the $1 million mark in earnings.

He came in with $966,370 and added $600,000 to his bankroll picking up his eighth career win from 26 starts.

“I could tell they were going a little too slow, so I had him up there a little closer than I normally would,” Smith said. “But it was easily done. Then it was just like déjà vu all over again. Pretty much just like that. He came running and he galloped out strong, too. He’s just a nice horse.”

Baffert watched the race from Saratoga where he saddled Rapport to a win in the $100,000 Victory Ride (G3).

Baffert’s assistant Jim Barnes saddled Richard’s Kid and gave a leg up to the hall of fame rider Smith.

"There had been a lot of talk about speed holding today, but Mike let him drop back and make his big run. He ran well on this racetrack. He’s two for two in the Pacific Classic. You can’t get any better than that,” Barnes said.

Crowded House put in a solid effort in his runner up finish at 12/1 under jockey Corey Nakatani.

The four-year-old colt was making just his second start since arriving in the U.S. He was fourth in the Eddie Read (G1) behind the winner The Usual Q.T. in his U.S. debut.

Nakatani had the colt in good position in the stretch and took over the lead briefly just past the eighth pole and battled on gamely.

The $2 exacta returned $144.20.

The late running Dakota Phone came from far out of it to grab third with the $1 trifecta paying $524.60.

The Usual Q.T. was sent off as the 5/2 favorite off his victory in the Eddie Read came with a four wide rally and took over the lead in the stretch only to weaken inside the final furlong and finish fifth.

If Richard’s Kid moves on to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in November, Baffert will likely be looking for a new jockey.

Smith likely will ride the undefeated Zenyatta is she makes it to the Classic.

El Brujo made every pole a winning one, taking the $300,000 Pat O’Brien (G1) two races later on the Pacific Classic Day card.

Under jockey Joel Rosario, the gelding jumped out to the lead and set the early fractions off the rail, drifted in a bit in the stretch, but held on to win by a half length over Crown of Thorns.

The Baffert trainee paid $9.60 and picked up a check for $180,000 for the victory.

It was the fourth win on the day for Rosario, who went on to win the nightcap to end the day with five winning mounts.

"I didn’t think I’d be on the lead, but he broke like a shot and I just let him go on with it,” Rosario said. He’s a long strider; a real big horse and a long strider. Even when we turned for home and the other horses came to him, I knew he wasn’t going to stop. He just kept on going."

Crown of Thorns, the second choice completed a $2 exacta that returned $30.20. Favorite Smiling Tiger checked in third, completing a $1 trifecta that paid $26.70.

Enriched took the field gate to wire to win the $250,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap (G2) earlier on the card.

The gelding is a half brother to 2006 Pacific Classic winner Lava Man, who was trained by Doug O’Neill, and was one of five winners piloted by Rosario on the eleven race card.

Like his half brother Lava Man, Enriched was claimed by O’Neill and has gone on to be very successful for the new connections.

The gelding has made 12 starts for the new barn with three victories and four seconds with earnings of $340,676 since the claim.

Enriched paid $6.40 as the favorite, with Meteore completing a $2 exacta that paid $32.80.

The runner up edged second choice Bruce’s Dream by a neck. The $1 trifecta paid $52.10.