DEL MAR : Frankel Can Choose From Four

The third Pacific Classic on Aug. 21 is beginning to shape up as a showdown between the race’s previous winners, with some new but familiar faces tossed into the mix.

Best Pal, winner of the inaugural race in 1991, worked a mile in 1:37 3/5 Wednesday with his regular rider, Corey Black, in preparation for the $1-million race.

Missionary Ridge, the $51 upset winner of last year’s race, remains among four possible starters from the barn of trainer Bobby Frankel. The others are Bertrando, 1991 Del Mar Futurity winner; Marquetry, 1992 Eddie Read Handicap winner, and the filly Jolypha, who finished sixth in last Saturday’s Ramona Handicap on the turf.

Valley Crossing, a Maryland-based horse who upset Devil His Due in the Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, is expected to ship in for the race. Other probable starters are Siberian Summer, Fanatic Boy, Memo and Sir Beaufort.

Fanatic Boy’s stock went up with his victory in the San Diego Handicap on July 31.

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This Sunday’s program will feature two $100,000 races, the Rancho Bernardo Breeders’ Cup Handicap for older fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs and the La Jolla Handicap for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

High weight among probable entries for the La Jolla, a stepping stone to the Del Mar Derby on Sept. 6, is Future Storm, carrying 118 pounds including jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Saturday’s program is highlighted by the $75,000 Sorrento Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs and the $75,000 Escondido Handicap for 3-year-olds and up at 1 3/8 miles on the turf. The Sorrento is a prep for the Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 4.

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Big Blow split horses at the top of the stretch and scored a half-length victory in Wednesday’s $46,000 allowance feature. The five-year-old English-bred by Last Tycoon ran a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf in 1:42 under Kent Desormeaux and paid $11.