Pacific Classic Offers Breeders’ Cup Berth And $1 Million Purse

The Bill Mott trained Knightsbridge is the morning line favorite in the $1 million Pacific Classic

Lauren King

The Pacific Classic has long been a pathway to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. First contested in 1991, Del Mar’s biggest race for classic distance horses has evolved into the crown jewel of California races as it offers a higher purse than any other regularly scheduled event in the Golden State. Offering $1 million in prize money and a fees paid berth into the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Pacific Classic has once again attracted a solid field of runners. Included in this group of accomplished contestants are runners from all over the United States and even a Japanese import (Finger). This mile and a quarter run around the Seaside Oval features a solid eleven horse field and is carded as race 10 on August 22 with an expected post time of 6:30pm Pacific time. Who will join the likes of Candy Ride, Lava Man, Beholder, California Chrome, and Flightline as Pacific Classic champions? Let’s take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The horses are listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line.

1 Om N Joy Trainer: Aggie OrdonezJockey: Kent DesormeauxOdds: 20-1

California-bred girl that is taking on the boys for the first time. Has a strong closing kick and hopes to join Beholder as a female that flies past them all in the Pacific Classic. Daughter of Om has made ten consecutive starts in Stakes company with five resulting in trips to the winner’s circle. Interesting runner, but she is no Beholder. Not likely to get it done here.

2 Forged SteelTrainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.Jockey: Edwin GonzalezOdds: 5-1

Was a dominant gate-to-wire winner at Santa Anita in the Hollywood Gold Cup on May 25. Finished a non- threatening fifth last out in the Suburban at Saratoga. His pappy, Vekoma, represents lots of speed and he should be a part of a hot early pace. Will be a factor early especially with the inside draw, but distance will be his undoing. Look elsewhere.

3 FingerTrainer: Hiroyasu TanakaJockey: Kelia TosakaOdds: 8-1

Japanese based runner that has four wins and four second place finishes in eight career starts. All his races have been in Japan over a sand-based surface. Will this son of Gun Runner be Godzilla or Godzookie on the Del Mar dirt? Shipping and winning will be difficult, but the product from the Far East has been pretty good on the world stage in recent times. Play him in your exotic and multi-race wagers.

Who will find the finish pole first in the 2026 Pacific Classic?

Lisa Brewer4 SubsanadorTrainer: Richard MandellaJockey: Mike SmithOdds: 12-1

Trainer and Jockey have each won the Classic four times but never together. Mandella orchestrated the biggest upset in race history in 1996 when Dare and Go defeated the mighty Cigar. After missing all of 2025 with an injury, this Argentinian-bred has not hit the board in three starts this year. Strong recent works make him a good price play as his rider is one of the best on big money days.

5 MularchukTrainer: Michael McCarthyJockey: Umberto RispoliOdds: 10-1

Son of Nyquist has been in the top three in nine of ten career starts with three wins, but only one of those starts has been in graded stakes company. Finished a non-threatening second in his last start on May 25 in Hollywood Gold Cup. Water may be a bit too deep where the turf meets the surf.

6 Original SinTrainer: Brendan WalshJockey: Juan HernandezOdds: 15-1

Kentucky shipper was impressive in winning the Blame Stakes on May 30 at Churchill Downs. Last start was a disappointing ninth in the Suburban Stakes at Saratoga on July 4. Son of Curlin should like the distance and could be a good across the board play if the price is right.

Hit Show has been a warrior throughout his career and a big late run could have him right there at the end

Coady Photography7 Hit ShowTrainer: Brad CoxJockey: Florent GerouxOdds: 6-1

A real warrior by today’s standards, this battle tested son of Candy Ride has mad 23 trips to the starting gates in graded stakes company. He shook up the world with a win in the 2025 Dubai World Cup and his closing style is suited for this distance. Certainly can get a piece of the pie here.

8 British Isles

Trainer: Richard Baltas

Jockey: Diego Herrera

Odds: 12-1

Santa Anita Handicap winner finished off the board in Stakes races at Keeneland (Ben Ali) and back at Santa Anita (Hollywood Gold Cup) in last two starts. Seems to knock on the door with six runner-up finishes and four third place runs, but only has four wins in twenty six lifetime starts. Don’t think he gets another one here.

9 Navajo WarriorTrainer: Saffie JosephJockey: Micah HusbandsOdds: 8-1

Nine wins in his last eleven starts tells us he knows how to find the wire. Son of Candy Ride enjoyed grade 3 scores (Pimlico Special, Cornhusker) in his last two outings but will be making his first grade 1 start. He likes to get out front and go and if an easy lead happens he could take them all the way. Pace pressure is likely, however, so don’t see that happening. Play him in all your exotic wagers.

10 Full SerranoTrainer: John SadlerJockey: Joel RosarioOdds: 8-1

Somewhat of a Del Mar specialist as he has three wins and a second in five career starts at the Seaside Oval. Coming in fresh as his last start was on March 28 when he finished fourth in the Oaklawn Mile in Arkansas. Conditioner won this race four times in a five year span (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) and jockey has been hot where the turf meets the surf. Our top pick as the winner.

DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 02: Full Serrano ridden by Joel Rosario (R) leads the field in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile during day two of the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar Race Track on November 02, 2024 in Del Mar, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Getty Images11 KnightsbridgeTrainer: Bill Mott Jockey: Junior AlvaradoOdds: 5-2

Most accomplished runner in the field with seven wins in eleven career starts, two seconds, and a third. Dominated the Monmouth Cup Stakes in his last start in gate to wire fashion. Outside draw means he is likely to bolt towards the front again. Quality runner that is a must in all your exotics and wouldn’t be a surprise if he ships in and wins.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com