Colonel John Schools for Pacific Classic at Del Mar

Multiple grade 1 winner Colonel John schooled for trainer Eoin Harty during the races Saturday afternoon in preparation for Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic. Colonel John heads a field of 12 that includes Einstein, Rail Trip, Informed and Awesome Gem.

The Pacific Classic is the ninth race on an 11-race card that begins one hour earlier than usual, at 1 p.m. Pacific. The card includes three other stakes races: the grade 1 Pat O'Brien Stakes, the grade 2 Del Mar Derby, and the Torrey Pines Stakes.

Colonel John Back in Action at Del Mar

I caught some video of Colonel John as he galloped by me twice on Thursday morning. Colonel John returned to the races in impressive fashion last Friday after a 7-month break, winning the Wickerr Handicap by two lengths for trainer Eoin Harty and jockey Garrett Gomez. The 2008 Santa Anita Derby and Travers Stakes winner looks to be back in fine form!