Del Mar Diaries: Breathtaking Beholder

Pacific Classic day is always unforgettable; not only does this race take place at one of America’s most picturesque racetracks, Del Mar, but it also offers one of the most important stops on the Road to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships since the winner of the TVG Pacific Classic earns a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which takes place on Oct. 31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

The morning of Pacific Classic day was postcard-perfect in Southern California, and I decided to head to the racetrack at about 10 a.m. Even though the races weren’t scheduled to start until about 2 that afternoon, there’s no place I’d rather be than at the track on a Saturday. (Or any day of the week, if I’m being honest!) I’m so glad I did – as I waited for the races to start, I had the chance to admire just how beautiful Del Mar really is.

It's a perfect day at @DelMarRacing for the #PacificClassic! #DelMarScene pic.twitter.com/GF3EptOC7b
— Penelope P. Miller (@PenelopePMiller) August 22, 2015

I spent the rest of the morning enjoying watching races around the country on TV and getting ready for the afternoon’s Pacific Classic festivities at Del Mar. By noon, though, I got itchy toes and decided to wander around the racetrack and take in the sights. I wasn’t alone: people were already pouring into the facility to get ready for a fantastic day of Thoroughbred action and the track was jumping.

Fans had arrived in their finest fashion, and I happily took a few minutes to admire some of the wonderful race day ensembles on display for Pacific Classic day. 

I even spotted reality TV star Audrina Patridge at Del Mar, covering the Pacific Classic for “Maxim” magazine.

And my superstar friend (and incredibly talented photographer) Zoe Metz was rocking a fantastic fascinator she’d found in the Del Mar gift shop.

Since the Pacific Classic was such an amazing race this year, I’m going to focus this blog entirely on that event. While there were plenty of other commanding performances today, the Classic was so remarkable that, to me, it deserves its place in the spotlight. So let’s begin!
By the time the Pacific Classic rolled around, Del Mar was packed. Fans lined the paddock of the racetrack, straining to see contenders as they paraded before the race.

They were in for a treat, since the 10 Thoroughbreds lined up to take on the Pacific Classic are some of the most talented in the nation. There was the always tough Hoppertunity, who is a solidly consistent horse.

Catch a Flight was the buzz horse, with a lot of experts guessing that today would be the best race of his already impressive career.

Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern had his game face on in the minutes leading up to the Pacific Classic:

But it was Beholder who was the center of attention in the paddock. The mare was seeking to become the first female horse in history to win the Pacific Classic, and all eyes were on her as she strutted for the crowd.

Soon, the Pacific Classic jockeys emerged and made their way to the paddock to unite with their mounts as well as to receive last minute instructions from their horses’ trainers. Red Vine’s rider Joel Rosario discussed strategy with Miguel Clement, who was representing his father Christophe at Del Mar.

Beholder’s jockey Gary Stevens was interviewed by TVG as he headed toward the walking ring:

Flavien Prat, who was riding Catch a Flight, looked confident as he walked to the paddock:

And with a call of “riders up!” the jockeys were legged up onto their horses and made their way to the track.

As the racehorses made their way from the paddock to the starting gate, their jockeys were a study in concentration in the moments leading up to the Pacific Classic.

Moments later, it was race time. As the 10 Thoroughbreds sprang from the gate and into the stretch for the first time on their mile-and-a-quarter battle, the crowd screamed its approval. Bayern and Midnight Storm locked horns early, ticking off impressive fractions in the early running of the race.

Beholder eased into third place behind them, content to stalk the early leaders through the opening panels of the race. 

But a mile later, the big mare was all alone as she romped down the stretch with daylight separating her and her male Pacific Classic rivals.

As Beholder passed under the finish line 8 1/4 lengths the best, Gary Stevens simply patted her in acknowledgement of their remarkable accomplishment.

It gave me goosebumps to watch Beholder gallop into history as she romped home in the Pacific Classic. I wasn’t alone; the entire grandstand at Del Mar was going ballistic, with fans cheering their heads off for the remarkable mare.

I made my way to the winner’s circle to witness the reunion between Beholder and her connections, and caught sight of the mare’s regular exercise rider in tears of celebration.

Beholder’s trainer Richard Mandella had a quiet smile on his face. I think he was just absorbing the moment and relishing his mare’s remarkable achievement.

When he reunited with Beholder, Mandella immediately stepped forward to rub her face as jockey Gary Stevens dropped a kiss on the mare’s neck.

Then Gary and Beholder took a few circles in front of the finish line for photographers, and the whole time Beholder’s groom patted and praised his charge for a job well done.

Finally, it was time for Beholder to enter the winner’s circle and pose for her commemorative photo in front of her adoring fans.

Beholder’s owner B. Wayne Hughes received his trophy and posed for photos, while jockey Gary Stevens clutched his silver tray as he smilingly watched the replay of the race on the jumbotron.

In her Pacific Classic victory, Beholder became the first female to win in the race’s 25 editions; she also earned a place in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and if she goes she’ll be a part of one of the most exciting fields that test has ever seen. But regardless of the mare’s future plans, racing fans today were treated to a dominant display of athleticism and talent that will be remembered long after the sun sets on Pacific Classic weekend. I can only be grateful to have seen Beholder’s performance in person, and it’s an experience that I will never forget. Thank you for the memories, Beholder; and thank you to all of you reading for joining me on a remarkable Pacific Classic day at Del Mar.