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DEL MAR, Calif. -- The Usual Q.T. was a few strides from reaching the wire in a six-furlong workout on the Polytrack surface at Del Mar when trainer Jim Cassidy rose from a seat in the grandstand and began walking toward the parking lot.

"There's no doubt where I'm running," he said.

Cassidy considered sending The Usual Q.T. to Arlington Park for the Arlington Million on turf on Aug. 21 but said the 4-year-old gelding will remain in California for the $1 million Pacific Classic here Aug. 28. The Pacific Classic will be The Usual Q.T.'s first start on a synthetic track since a disappointing ninth-place finish in the Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita in January.

On Wednesday, The Usual Q.T. worked six furlongs in 1:13.80, the second-fastest of nine recorded works at the distance. Ridden in the workout by regular jockey Victor Espinoza, The Usual Q.T. worked alone and finished the last quarter-mile in 23.80, according to Cassidy's stopwatch.

Cassidy dismisses The Usual Q.T.'s loss in the Sunshine Millions in January because the gelding raced near a quick pace early.

"The race set up badly for him," Cassiday said.

The Usual Q.T. is winless in five starts on synthetic tracks but was second in three maiden races earlier in his career. The Usual Q.T. typically has workouts on the main track.

"He's always handled the main track," Cassidy said.

The Usual Q.T. has two Grade 1 stakes wins, both on turf -- the Hollywood Derby last fall and the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes here last month. The Usual Q.T. has won 8 of 15 starts and $993,320.

Richard's Kid works for Pacific Classic

Richard's Kid, the defending champion of the Pacific Classic, zipped a half-mile in 46 seconds Wednesday, the fastest of 46 recorded works at the distance.

Trainer Bob Baffert said that Richard's Kid will be ridden by Mike Smith in the Pacific Classic. Smith has not ridden Richard's Kid since the 2009 Pacific Classic.

Richard's Kid has started twice this summer, finishing third behind Awesome Gem in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup on July 10 and third to Temple City in the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap over 1 1/2 miles here July 30. Martin Garcia was aboard for those races.

Richard's Kid is on the same Del Mar stakes schedule as last year, when he finished second in the Cougar II Handicap before starting in the Pacific Classic.

"The other race was a stamina builder," Baffert said of the recent start in the Cougar II.

The list of probable starters for the Pacific Classic includes Awesome Gem, Crowded House, Dakota Phone, Enriched, Hold Me Back, Isle of Giant's, Temple City, and Unusual Suspect.

On Monday, Awesome Gem worked five furlongs in 1:01.60, his second workout since the Gold Cup.

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