Winning one for the home team is what this year’s edition of the Pacific Classic was about.California-bred Acclamation pulled off a stunning victory for his California based owners. This race earned a spot high on my list of favorites for the year for many reasons:Acclamation setting a track record; one of my personal favorite horses, Twirling Candy, and his great effort placing a head behind the winner; Stately Victor, my longshot pick, had a strong third place finish, and to top it off Patrick Valenzuela’s repeat victory spanning twenty years.Fast horses, fast track, fast people…loved it, loved it, loved it!
Acclamation, a five year old son of Unusual Heat, is raced in the colors of Bud and Judy Johnston, as well as Peter and Mary Hilvers.I applaud the Johnston’s for breeding this versatile horse that made the Pacific Classic his fourth straight win, and his third straight Grade I victory.Don Warren trains Acclamation, in addition to the other Johnston horses.The Johnston runners have been trained by Warren for thirty-three years.
Warren opted to put Patrick Valenzuela in the irons of his turf phenom when regular rider, Joel Rosario, jumped off to ride Twirling Candy, who was the 5-2 morning line and post-time favorite for the Pacific Classic.Knowing Acclamation ran at his best when he set the pace, Warren wisely matched his horse with Valenzuela, who is known for his ability to win with pacesetters. Valenzuela gave a textbook ride aboard Acclamation at 4-1 odds, slowing the pace down to dawdling fractions of :24.57 for the opening quarter mile, and :48.65 for the half mile.
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