By virtue of his victory in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic
on Sunday here at Del Mar, Acclamation earned an automatic berth in the
$5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 5 at Churchill Downs. But the
chances of him running in that race are remote.
Acclamation’s previous best form had been on turf, the surface on
which he had won three straight stakes – including two Grade 1 races –
preceding in the Pacific Classic. Both Don Warren, who trains
Acclamation, and Bud Johnston, who bred the horse and is his co-owner,
were willing to take a shot on Del Mar’s Polytrack surface following a
sharp workout six days before the Pacific Classic. But they remain
circumspect over running Acclamation on dirt. And Acclamation still
needs to be made eligible to the Breeders’ Cup program. He’s not
nominated – yet.
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