Rock Your World's Next Target Could Be on Dirt or Turf

Hronis Racing and David Michael Talla's Rock Your World  had his sixth workout since his Triple Crown campaign Aug. 15 at Del Mar. The six-furlong move from the gate was in preparation for an upcoming graded stakes assignment, which could be on either dirt or turf.

Rock Your World was timed in 1:12 3/5 under jockey Umberto Rispoli. Clocker/handicapper Toby Turrell had interim splits of :36 2/5 and 1:00 3/5. The 3-year-old Candy Ride   colt trained by John Sadler is being pointed to either the Aug. 21 TVG Pacific Classic (G1) going 1 1/4 miles against older rivals on the main track, or the Sept. 4 Del Mar Derby (G2T) against other 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

"It went very well, we were all happy with it," said Juan Leyva, assistant to Sadler. "At this point (the next race) is still undecided. I'm sure John will come back tomorrow, make sure everything is all right with the horse, and probably decide then."

Rock Your World was undefeated in his first three starts, including the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1). He finished 17th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) after a slow start in which he was jostled, then ran sixth in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1).

Also Sunday, trainer John Shirreffs worked Pacific Classic nominees Express Train  and Midcourt . He is leaning toward only running one in Del Mar's summer feature. Express Train clocked six furlongs in 1:12 1/5, the fastest of 12 works at the distance, and Midcourt was timed in 1:14 3/5.

Turrell caught Express Train, under Juan Hernandez, in splits of :24, :36 1/5, :47 3/5, and :59 4/5 en route to the official clocking and had the 4-year-old Union Rags   colt galloping out to seven furlongs in 1:26 2/5.

Midcourt, a 6-year-old Midnight Lute   gelding, was ridden by Edwin Maldonado for his work. The multiple graded stakes winner ended a six-month layoff with an allowance victory at Santa Anita Park in June.

Shirreffs was pleased with both works but was, "leaning" toward running only Express Train, winner of the July 17 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar.

Joe Peacock's Sheriff Brown  should be counted 'in' for the Pacific Classic, trainer Todd Fincher told Del Mar media by phone from his Ruidoso, N.M., headquarters. The decision came following a Friday work at Del Mar in which the 5-year-old Curlin   gelding went four furlongs in :48 4/5.

"He came out of his work well and it looks like it's a go," Fincher said.

Sheriff Brown shipped in from Texas for the San Diego and finished seventh of eight, beaten 8 3/4 lengths by Express Train, after stumbling at the start.

"That was pretty much a throw-out," Fincher said. "He had just shipped in and wasn't comfortable in his surroundings. And he's a horse that needs to be comfortable with his surroundings. We expect a lot better effort this time.

"I've always wanted to try him at a longer distance, like a mile and a quarter. There are a lot of unknowns, but we're going to try it."

Edwin Maldonado, aboard for the San Diego, has the call in the Pacific Classic.

As a Breeders' Cup Challenge race, the winner of the Pacific Classic will receive a fees-paid berth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) back at Del Mar Nov. 6.