Pacific Classic Victory for Go Between

Pacific Classic Victory for Go Between

The Grade 1 $1 Million Pacific Classic was run on Sunday, 24 August 2008, at the Del Mar Racetrack, and was a race that saw some the best of the best in horse racing go up against each other. The ten horse field included names such as Well Armed, Go Between, Awesome Gem, Mostacolli Mort, Zappa, Surf Cat, Barcola, Mast Track, Delosvientos and Student Council. This prestigious racing event for three year olds and over is run over a one and a quarter miles. When Go Between crossed the finished line in first position, he automatically secured his place at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.

Go Between is trained by Bill Mott and owned by Peter Vegso. He has made twenty-six career starts and has earned $2 783 880 so far. Sired by Point Given (2001 Horse of the Year), Go Between has been bred to be a champion and he is not disappointing. He opened the year off by winning the Sunshine Millions Classic and seems to be performing well on synthetic surfaces, which counts in his favor as the Breeders’ Cup will be run on a synthetic surface this year.

Ridden by Garret Gomez, Go Between remained in eighth position for most of the race until moving into fifth in the remaining quarter mile. Well Armed also had his eye on the prize and took off into the lead into the last stretch. Go Between was ready to put up a fight and started chasing down Well Armed quite late into the race. Even though Well Armed gave a valiant effort to hold onto the lead, it was Go Between who gave just that little bit extra to cross the wire a neck in front. Mast Track charged towards the wire in third position, followed by Zappa, Student Council, Surf Cat, Awesome Gem, Mostacolli Mort, Delosvientos and Barcola.

Peter Vegso commented that he was excited and pleased with his horse’s performances and that he was looking forward to competing in the Breeders’ Cup. Satisfaction on winning the Pacific Classic could also be heard in the comments made by winning jockey Garret Gomez, talking to the press after the race. "I was really pleased with my position. I was back there, but I was only seven or eight off them. The only time I had to make a decision was at the four-and-a-half pole. I had to decide whether to wait and make that late run or go around and go for it right then and there. I decided to go for it and it worked.” And it really did work, with Go Between becoming the new Pacific Classic champion and the latest entrant to the Breeder’s Cup.