After four other mares tried and failed, Beholder destroyed the boys in the race, took observers' breath away, and brought brimming emotion into the Winner's Circle during the Million Dollar TVG Pacific Classic on Saturday, August 22, 2015.
Beholder on her way to victory in Pacific Classic
Beholder destroyed the boys in the race, took observers' breath away, and brought brimming emotion into the Winner's Circle during the Million Dollar TVG Pacific Classic on Saturday, August 22, 2015.
© 2015 by Del Mar RT
"Nature didn't make very many like her, ever," Richard Mandella, a Hall of Fame trainer, said as he watch Hall of Fame jocky Gary Stevens ride the mare to victory.
The super mare outran a field of males winning by 8 1/4 lengths just one-quarter of a length off the mark set by Game On Dude in 2013.
Trainer Mandella said Beholder "took my breath away" when she moved to pass both layern and Midnight Storm. The race was billed as a Battle of the Sexes with Beholder facing nine male rivals.
Bob Baffert, Bayern's trainer knew the mare would be tough, but even he was surprised.
When quizzed about plans for the future for Beholder, trainer Mandella was asked if he would consider a run against American Pharoah in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He answered, "I wanted to give her a chance to do something special and she did it today. Everything is possible, but I'm just going to enjoy the hell out of this one."