DEL MAR: GONE SKIMMING HORSE, TRAINER REPEAT WIN IN PACIFIC CLASSIC.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

DEL MAR - Bobby Frankel took no offense when bettors failed to make Skimming the favorite in Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic, even though both trainer and horse took impeccable credentials into the race.

``When I saw that another horse was a little favored, I thought, `Good,' '' Frankel said after Skimming cruised to a repeat victory in the 1 1/4-mile race, giving Frankel his sixth win in its 11 runnings.

None of Frankel's previous winners in the Pacific Classic, the featured event of the Del Mar meet, went off as the favorite, and Skimming continued that streak even though he had won his three previous races over the track.

Futural, the slight favorite (both were 8-5 on the odds board) finished last and Skimming brushed off an early push by long shot Dig for It and a mild stretch run by Dixie Dot Com to win by a race-record 5 1/2 lengths in 1 minute, 59.96 seconds with Garrett Gomez aboard.

And even though bettors apparently had some questions, there were no doubts among Skimming's connections, including owner Juddmonte Farms.

``I wanted to make sure that he made the lead and got clear,'' Frankel said from New York, where he watched his horse Aptitude win the Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap just 20 minutes before the Pacific Classic. ``As soon as they went around the first turn, I felt real comfortable.''

As expected, Skimming went to the front early, and the usually aggressive Dixie Dot Com was kept back by jockey David Flores. Dig for It started well, too well for Gomez's liking, but by the first turn Skimming took charge.

``We had some pressure going around that first turn and he muscled up a bit,'' Gomez said. ``But once we went around the turn he let go of the bridle and relaxed.''

Skimming got control of the pace, which didn't suit Dixie Dot Com and Flores, who was hoping that quick early fractions would allow his horse to catch up to Skimming in the stretch.

It didn't happen. Skimming made his big move when challenged by Dig for It with three-eighths of a mile to go and pulled away in the stretch to beat Dixie Dot Com.

Dig for It finished a head behind for third, followed by Captain Steve, Until Sundown and Futural, who settled in the back going into the first turn and never made a move.

``I never had any horse today,'' jockey Chris McCarron said. ``I was asking him coming by the stands the first time and there wasn't anything there. He felt OK, his legs were OK, but something had to be wrong.''

Skimming's victory, although impressive, might not do much for his overall reputation. His success at Del Mar is well-documented, but outside Southern California he could be seen as a one-track wonder.

Frankel, well aware of his horse's apparent affinity for the track, said he likely will not ship Skimming east and might shut him down for the winter in order to prepare for next year.

Last year, Skimming followed his Pacific Classic victory with two poor showings at Belmont Park but came back sharp in May at Hollywood Park.

``I don't think I'll leave California with him,'' Frankel said. ``Maybe I'll give him the winter off and then try to get him ready for Del Mar again next year. He loves Del Mar. Maybe it's the footing, maybe it's the turns, maybe the short stretch.

``It's hard to pinpoint, but whatever it is, I'm happy about it.''

On the other coast, Aptitude went four-wide on the final turn and beat Perfect Cat by four lengths at Saratoga.

In Del Mar's other stakes races, Kalookan Queen beat Go Go by a head after a tight stretch run in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap and Frankel's Tates Creek, with Kent Desormeaux aboard, won the Finlandia Cup Handicap.

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

Skimming, right, with Garrett Gomez aboard, pulls away from Dig for It, ridden by Alex Solis.

Denis Poroy/Associated Press