“Come Up A Loser”: Prominent Equestrian Valued at $347,425,872 Delivers Heartfelt Confession Following Unfortunate Grade 1 Stakes Loss

It is the Pacific Classic time of the year and the equestrian community is finally settled. The annual Thoroughbred horse race held in August every year finally set up the 2023 show on September 2nd.

The FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic is considered to be one of the richest and most prestigious races hosted at Del Mar. The Grade 1 race held the purse at $1,000,000 alongside a Win And You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Weighing in on what is at stake, the equines raced at the 1+1⁄4 miles dirt track to dominate the event.

However, the race held even more for the two previous rivals newly making their way into the equestrian realm.

The rekindled rivalry at Pacific Classic

On the 2nd of September, 10 of the G1 equines ran a very close race with the second finisher, failing by a neck. The contest watched an interesting turn of events as the horses continued overtaking one another until Arabian Knight took a prominent lead.

Starting the match, Slow Down Andy and Piroli led the way seeming to make it all the end. The two held on tight, putting pressure on the rest of the contenders. However, half a mile in, Piroli gave in to the tiredness and made way for Arabian Knight and his rival Geaux Rocket Ride. Slow Down Andy was very well leading the way until Geaux Rocket Ride pulled off from the rail overtaking him and giving competition to Arabian Knight. Despite the quick maneuver, Arabian Knight emerged successful in taking over its previous conqueror from Haskell Stakes G1.

Following the results, equestrian Mike Smith spoke to TVG expressing his disappointment as Geaux Rocket Ride failed to claim the title.

 “They fought down to the wire, and he ran too good to come up a looser,” Mike told TVG. He also added that the match should move the equine up.

The showdown was Arabian Knight and Geaux Rocket Ride’s only 4th and 5th match respectively. Yet, both the colts have been impressive in their track records.

Colts make a place in the Equestrian World

The Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old Corser Thoroughbred has a total of 4 starts to its name with 3 of them added in 2023. Having secured three firsts and one-third, the Arabin Knight, has a total career earnings of $1,244,275. And falling no behind, Geaux Rocket Ride has secured 5 starts with three firsts and two seconds; and all of them in 2023.  The latter has garnered career earnings of $980,200.

While Richard Mandella-trained Geaux Rocket Ride succeeded in defeating Arabian Knight in Haskell stakes in July 2023 securing a first, the corser has earned itself a ticket into the breeder’s cup Classic 2023 to be held in Nov.

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As the two colts continue to contest, they try to make their places in the equines’ Hall of Fame.