DEL MAR, Calif. -- Craig Dollase, the trainer of Futural, on Monday morning was at a loss to explain why his horse, favored in Sunday's Pacific Classic, ran last throughout and lost by 22 1/2 lengths.

"I thought he might have bled, but we scoped him, and he didn't," Dollase said. "We'll have to wait for the medication to wear off and have the vet go over him. That wasn't him. Something must be wrong, but I don't know what it is yet."

Futural has had a star-crossed summer. He was disqualified from victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup, then ran second to Skimming in the San Diego Handicap. He was a slight favorite, over Skimming, in the Pacific Classic.

Captain Steve gets a break
Another dull performance from Captain Steve has convinced his trainer, Bob Baffert, that the 4-year-old colt needs a rest. Captain Steve finished fourth in the Pacific Classic, and though he lost the race by a little more than six lengths, he never was a threat and ran evenly throughout. It was his fourth straight loss, and second out-of-the-money finish, since capturing the Dubai World Cup in March.

"He's fine," Baffert said Monday morning. "When he turned for home he was in a good spot, but he's not extending himself. I'm going to freshen him up for the Breeders' Cup. If he's doing great, I'll run him. If not, I won't."

Captain Steve finished third in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic. He was not an original nominee to the Breeders' Cup, but because he was supplemented to last year's race, he would not have to be supplemented this time.