Lava Man favored at 8-5 in Pacific Classic

against seven rivals in Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic (G1). Winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) most recently, the five-year-old gelding has been

installed as the 8-5 favorite on the morning line. His opponents include 2005

Kentucky Derby (G1) winner GIACOMO (Holy Bull), who exits a victory in the San

Diego H. (G2) earlier this meet, and $4.5 million earner PERFECT DRIFT (Dynaformer),

runner-up in the last two editions of Del Mar's centerpiece event.

A close third in last year's Pacific Classic, the Doug O'Neill-trained Lava

Man has found his best form this season, winning the Sunshine Millions Classic

and Santa Anita H. (G1) before reeling off a pair of turf stakes victories,

including the Charles Whittingham Memorial H. (G1). He recorded a game nose

score in the Hollywood Gold Cup, his third win this year at the Pacific Classic

1 1/4-mile distance, and will break from post 2 on Sunday with regular rider Corey Nakatani.

Giacomo is the second choice on the morning line at 3-1. Conditioned by John

Shirreffs, the gray colt returned from a four-month freshening with a much

improved showing in the 1 1/16-mile San Diego and should appreciate the added

ground in the Pacific Classic. Perfect Drift, who has recorded 12 second-place

finishes in his 39-race career, will enter this year's race off runner-up

finishes in the Washington Park H. (G2) and Stephen Foster H. (G1). The

venerable seven-year-old gelding will attempt to make the third time a charm in

his third appearance at the seaside oval. He's listed at 6-1.

Santa Anita H. and Oaklawn H. (G1) runner-up MAGNUM (Arg) (El Compinche),

winner of the Lone Star Park H. (G3) two starts back, is the third pick on the

morning line at 5-1. Other contenders include SUPER FROLIC (Pine Bluff), who

finished a close third in the Hollywood Gold Cup; San Diego runner-up PREACHINATTHEBAR (Silver Charm);

and GOOD REWARD (Storm Cat), a multiple Grade 1 winner at this distance on the

turf who's invading from Saratoga for trainer Shug McGaughey.

TOP THIS AND THAT (Old Topper), who exits an allowance/optional claiming

victory over the track, will lead the post parade under the Jose Valdivia Jr.

He's the longest shot on the morning line at 20-1. Next comes Lava Man;

Preachinatthebar, Victor Espinoza, 12-1; Giacomo, Mike Smith; Magnum, Alex

Solis; Perfect Drift, Mark Guidry; Super Frolic, Jon Court, 8-1; and Good Reward, Garrett Gomez, 10-1.