Pacific Classic runners' connections weigh in a day later

Trainer Ron Ellis, whose Rail Trip was sent postward as the 5-2 favorite in Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar and finished third, offered no excuses Sunday morning.

"It was the first time he'd been behind horses and caught 'dirt' in his face, and he handled it well," Ellis said. "He came out of the race in good shape and we'll look forward to the Breeders' Cup Classic."

Ellis said he'll likely train Rail Trip, who won the Hollywood Gold Cup in July and has won six of nine lifetime, up to the Classic on works.

"He ran very well off a seven-week break, so we'll keep him fresh that way," he said.

The connections for fourth-place finisher Parading are undecided about the Breeders' Cup. He could be shipped to Santa Anita to prepare for the Classic, according to Jorge Molina, the horse's groom.

Molina said Shug McGaughey assistant Robbie Medina returned to New York on Sunday night and will let Molina know where Parading will go next.

Fifth-place finisher Colonel John, who had a troubled trip according to jockey Garrett Gomez, could resurface in the Goodwood Stakes on Oct. 10 in advance of the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 7.

The Pacific Classic's runner-up, Einstein, is not Breeders' Cup eligible and would have to be supplemented at a large fee. The 7-year-old was reported in good shape Sunday morning. Trainer Helen Pitts flew back to her Churchill Downs base Sunday night, and Einstein is scheduled to ship back to Kentucky on Wednesday.

The 24-1 surprise winner, Richard's Kid, might go next in the Goodwood, or trainer Bob Baffert might elect to bring him into the Breeders' Cup Classic on workouts. He's undecided.