DEL MAR -- Chew on this: Awesome Gem is running in an unprecedented fourth straight $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday.

Chew on that: Anyone see Awesome Gem's nameplate outside his stall?

"We had to get him another one,'' trainer Craig Dollase said. "He ate the other one.''

Awesome Gem is a 7-year-old gelding but still acts like a mischievous youngster. His Awesome Avenue sign, which hugged his No. 27 stall in Del Mar's barns, was nothing but another play toy.

No matter his age, this chestnut thoroughbred is one for the ages. He runs, runs and runs, but never without having fun.

"Even at this stage he is calm around the barn, but we often send a pony out with him,'' said Jeffrey Bloom, who is vice president of West Coast operations for Awesome Gem's owner, West Point Thoroughbreds, and a handicapper for the North County Times. "He's a good-feeling horse, still likes to jump around and show that he is having a good time.''

Think of the fidgety kid in the back of the class, making noises or getting spit wads at the ready. Awesome Gem is much like that -- a clown, and one distributing smiles to those close to him.

Or, others that want to be.

"When people come around the barn, the first thing they want to do is go to his stall,'' said Bloom, an Oceanside resident. "It's like the pandas at the zoo -- he's the one that people go see.''

They aren't disappointed. Awesome Gem plays the part, especially if visitors have a fistful of carrots -- organic, if you don't mind.

"He loves carrots,'' Bloom said.

As well as showing off. When on his hot walk after Friday morning's workout, he did so with his tongue out, making sure everyone took notice.

"He is amazing,'' Dollase said.

Ditto his feat for finding the gate for four straight Pacific Classics. But Awesome Gem always arrives: anywhere, any place, on any surface in 36 starts that have brought more than $2 million in earnings.

"There are very few horses that continually show up and are as consistent as he is as far as laying his body down,'' Bloom said. "He has run in middle of night, he's run going the wrong way overseas, run on a bull ring, turfs, dirt, slop and every synthetic there is. I don't know if there is a more versatile horse with his accomplishments.''

That's among the reasons for his popularity. While Zenyatta and others are the sport's grand names, Awesome Gem shuns the spotlight.

"He's always out there trying hard, and that kind of makes him a people's horse,'' Bloom said. "He is a grinder and has never had that superstar thing about him. And because of that, every time we go somewhere with him, the fans follow and it's neat to see.''

Can Awesome Gem follow up with something spectacular Saturday? Despite closing in on 40 starts, he is coming off his first Grade I win, this summer's Hollywood Gold Cup triumph. He beat Rail Trip by a half-length to claim the $500,000 race.

"I always believed he was going to get that Grade I,'' Bloom said. "I never wavered in my opinion. But when it did happen, I was in shock and I can honestly say I am still floating.

"That was a big monkey lifted off our collective backs to get that Grade I. It sounds so corny, but I was happy for the horse. It was so gratifying, and hopefully it is the first of many now.''

Reaching Saturday's winner's circle would be special for Awesome Gem's backers, many with North County roots. He nearly won in 2007, losing by inches to Student Council.

"It would be amazing if he did it,'' Dollase said. "He just tends to show up each and every time, and to be 7 years old and still playing at this high level is a credit to everyone involved in the horse.''

With a nod toward his handlers' perseverance, as Awesome Gem was a load early on.

"He was a wild man,'' Bloom said. "We went very slowly with him. It would take hours to get him on a van, and he had a bunch of weird, quirky things about him. He was just one of those horses that was going to find ways to cause problems, to get in trouble -- he was very rambunctious and was a difficult horse for riders to stay on.''

Still, Awesome Gem's eyes gave another clue.

"You always saw in him that underlying ability even with all those antics,'' Bloom said. "Even in his first start you saw he had the makings of a champion.''

Awesome Gem is a horse, of course, but always a hot dog.

"Even with all his wildness around his stall or at the barn, he is a big pet and great to be around,'' Bloom said. "He knows when to shut it down, and when the little kids hang around his stall he's as docile as he could be.''

With that, Bloom tugged at his Awesome Gem Gold Cup lid, Dollase doing the same with his Padres cap. Two winners this summer atop their heads, as unlikely as it seems.

"He obviously has a lot of courage and heart,'' Dollase said. "He's just one of those horses that show up every day.''

A true pacific classic this Awesome Gem. Wouldn't it be fantastic if he wins in his fourth try?

"Del Mar is so dear to my heart and many of the partners that it would be a wonderful way to highlight this horse's career,'' Bloom said. "It would be very rewarding to capture the Pacific Classic.''

Awesome Gem's payout? He'll take it in carrots, please.