Del Mar: Pacific Classic Entices Great Field

“Take a good look, because you’re not going to see this too often—maybe never again.” 

Those were the words of longtime Del Mar track announcer Trevor Denman on September 3, 2022, as Flightline cruised home in one of the more dominating classic wins of my lifetime.

Few stakes have such a poignant performance, but such is the case with the Grade 1 Pacific Classic, run at the classic distance of 10 furlongs.  Flightline entered the race 4-for-4, his longest run having been in the Met Mile, and that was over one turn at Belmont Park.

No matter.  He crushed the field by 19 ¼ lengths.  The 2nd-place finisher was Country Grammer, 4 times a graded stakes winner and the 2022 Grade 1 Dubai World Cup.  His trainer, Bob Baffert, was quoted after the race.  “I don't think Country Grammer ever saw Flightline. My horse thought he won."

Between Flightline’ jaw-dropping run and a perfect call from a track announcer who had seen just about everything in his long and distinguished career, it was a day to remember.

This year’s Pacific Classic Field includes horses who are already Grade 1 winners; there are an additional 5 graded stakes winners in the field.  It’s loaded.

6 of the horses have shipped in from out of town, and I expect them to be the favorites come post time on Saturday.  With the retirements of Journalism and Nysos, any chance at a local favorite went out the window.

Let’s meet the field, and put together our weekly wager.  If you’re wagering on Del Mar, check out AmWager!  They have a 100% deposit match up to $100.

Grade 1 Pacific Classic.  10 furlongs, dirt.  3+up.  $1,000,000.

1. Om N Joy.  20/1.        Jockey: Kent Desormeaux.        Trainer: Aggie Ordonez.

One of the graded stakes winners in this field is Om N Joy, but it comes with a big caveat: it was in the Grade 2 Santa Margarita, which is a race for fillies and mares.  She’s stepping into major company here, and while her effort last out in the Grade 1 Hirsch was a near-win – that, too, was against female horses.  I think she’s got far too large a mountain to climb, but if you’re looking for the biggest payouts, here’s your runner.

2. Forged Steel.  5/1.        Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez.        Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Forged Steel is one of a number of front-runners in this field, and his inside post position likely offers him a great opportunity to seize on just that.  Trainer Saffie Joseph has sent a pair for this race, and Forged Steel is the lower odds on the board; he’s enlisting Edwin Gonzalez – a fine local jockey – for this race, and keeping his top rider aboard his other entrant.  Forged Steel did ship for the Grade 2 Gold Cup at Santa Anita this year, winning for fun by almost 10 lengths.  I think this field is significantly better than this one, but a win here would cement him amongst the older horses to watch moving forward.

3. Finger. 8/1.            Jockey: Ketia Tosaki.            Trainer: Hiroyasu Tanaka.

Finger is the absolute wildcard in this group, coming out of restricted 3-year-old stakes in Japan, all at 2nd-tier tracks.  All of his top wins have come over a sand surface, and this will be his first attempt over a true dirt surface.  He’s run reasonably fast, but he’ll have to get faster if he’s going to win here.  The Japanese have been great in these types of situations; if you’re looking for a longer shot to include in your wagers, he fits the role.

4. Subsanador. 12/1.        Jockey: Mike Smith.            Trainer: Richard Mandella.

Subsanador began his career in Argentina, but made a big splash upon arrival in the US in 2024, winning both the Grade 3 Iselin at Monmouth and Grade 1 CA Crown at Santa Anita.  He was off for all of 2025, and his 2026 form is nowhere close to previous.  His recent works indicate he’s in good form, but until I see his 2024 form again, he’s a play against.

5. Malarchuk. 10/1.        Jockey: Umberto Rispoli.        Trainer: Michael McCarthy.

Michael McCarthy will send the lightly-raced Malarchuk to the gate, making his 11th start in his now 5-year-old campaign.  He was far behind Forged Steel in the Gold Cup, but still managed a 2nd-place finish.  He’ll need to take a huge step forward today to be competitive in this company.

6. Original Sin. 15/1.        Jockey: Juan Hernandez.        Trainer: Brendan Walsh.

Of all the longshots on the board, Original Sin has had the best recent success.  His win in the Grade 3 Blame at Churchill Downs was his first foray into graded company, and he looked great in winning.  You’ll have to draw a line through his most recent effort at Saratoga to get to him, but that’s easy to do.  Booking Juan Hernandez is always a positive at Del Mar; he’s a win candidate to me.

7. Hit Show. 6/1.        Jockey: Florent Geroux.        Trainer: Brad Cox.

Hit Show is one of the Grade 1 winners in the field, taking down the field in the 2025 Dubai World Cup.  He’s won 3 times since then, but twice was aided by lasix.  He was bested by Original Sin in the Blame, but might’ve gotten there had the race been this distance.  He’s an include because he’s simply a stayer, and there are plenty of scenarios where he simply hangs long enough to win.

8. British Isles. 12/1.        Jockey: Diego Herrera.        Trainer: Richard Baltas.

Winner of this year’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap, British Isles has been less than great since.  Trainer Richard Baltas decided to give him some time off this summer, prior to trying this field.  He’ll need a similar set up to the one he got in the Big Cap, but unfortunately for him, this is a much better field.

9. Navajo Warrior. 8/1.    Jockey: Micah Husbands.        Trainer: Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Navajo Warrior is my top pick in this race, an improving 5-year-old son of Candy Ride.  Candy Ride famously set the stakes record for this race in 2003, and is likewise the sire of Hit Show.  Navajo Warrior has now won graded stakes in Maryland and Iowa this year; I value horses who can travel and perform well, especially for showcase races like this.  Between Skippylongstocking and White Abarrio, Joseph has established himself as one of the best older horse trainers in the country.

10. Full Serrano. 8/1.        Jockey: Joel Rosario.            Trainer: John Sadler.

Full Serrano won the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile over the Del Mar course in 2024, and winning jockey Joel Rosario is aboard today.  Since that race, his only other win was in allowance company, and every foray into stakes company has resulted in a loss.  He was great in his moment, but that moment is likely over.  He’s 3-for-5 lifetime at the track, many in huge spots; I’ll play against, but my surprise level will be pretty low if he does manage one last great run – trainer John Sadler is amongst the best.

11. Knightsbridge. 5/2.    Jockey: Junior Alvarado.        Trainer: Bill Mott.

Knightsbridge will be your favorite, and based on recent results, he should be: his 122 Beyer speed figure in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup is amongst the best in recent years.  He ran a good 2nd before that in the Grade 1 Met Mile at Saratoga, finishing behind the recently retired Nysos.  No shame in losing to one of the fastest horses on the planet, and he’ll have a solid chance here today.  When he gets his way, he’s great.  Will he get his way today?

The Sporting Tribune Wager:

$3 Late Pick 3, Starts Race 9 ($72):  3,9 / 6,7,9,11 / 5,9,12.  Good Luck!