Awesome Gem heads field for Pacific Classic

The aging process doesn’t seem to be having a negative effect on Awesome Gem, a 7-year-old gelding who is looking revitalized and reinvigorated as one of the top handicap horses in California.

The son of Awesome Again earned his first Grade I victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup on July 10 and will be one of the contenders for Saturday’s Grade I $1-million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar.

Awesome Gem will be making his 37th career start, having won seven races while finishing second 13 times with earnings of $2.27 million.

“I guess I should be a little surprised that he’s running as well as he is at 7, but really I’m not,” trainer Craig Dollase said. “I think it has to do with the way he treats himself, and with the way we’ve campaigned him.”

Dollase has given Awesome Gem his share of breaks, keeping him healthy and focused.

“He’s been wonderful for us,” Dollase said. “He’s got a lot of longevity. He’s not hard on himself. He’s a trainer’s dream — a blue-collar horse who shows up.”

Awesome Gem will be racing in the Pacific Classic for a record fourth time. He has finished second and seventh twice. Jockey David Flores has the mount.

A field of 10 is entered for the richest race on the West Coast. First post is 1 p.m. for an 11-race card. The Pacific Classic will go off as the eighth race.

Among the top contenders are Richard’s Kid, last year’s Pacific Classic victor; The Usual Q.T., a turf specialist who won the Eddie Read Handicap; Dakota Phone, the winner of the San Diego Handicap; and Temple City, who won the Cougar II Handicap.

Also on the program is the Grade I $300,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs and the Grade II $250,000 Del Mar Mile for 3-year-olds and up on the turf.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com