Del Mar’s Pacific Classic Awaits Field as Knightsbridge Emerges as Early Threat

Del Mar’s $1 million Pacific Classic is set for Aug. 22, and the field is expected to be finalized Sunday. For California horse bettors, the biggest early storyline is whether Knightsbridge will ship in after a 10-length Monmouth Cup win that produced a 122 Beyer speed figure.

That number is notable because the source article says it is the highest for any race since Flightline posted a 126 in the 2022 Pacific Classic. If Knightsbridge runs, the 5-year-old trained by Bill Mott could be a heavy favorite in one of Del Mar’s signature races.

Knightsbridge heads a still-forming Pacific Classic picture

Other possible Pacific Classic entrants mentioned in the source report include Hit Show, Finger, Full Serrano, Nevada Beach, Subsanador, British Isles, Forged Steel, Malarchuk, Navajo Warrior, The Goat and Om N Joy.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club President Josh Rubinstein said the track does not expect a new Kentucky-New York 3-year-old championship series to affect the Pacific Classic or Del Mar’s broader racing program. He also said Del Mar does not plan to raise the purse.

“At a $1 million purse, we believe the Pacific Classic will continue to be a compelling opportunity for horsemen and horsewomen across the country,” Rubinstein said.

The race conditions give 3-year-olds a break at 118 pounds, which is six fewer than older horses carry.

Other California racing notes from Del Mar and Los Alamitos

The notebook also highlighted weekend stakes at Del Mar, including the Rancho Bernardo Handicap and the Solana Beach Stakes.

In national rankings tied to the Breeders’ Cup Classic picture, Sovereignty moved to No. 1 in both the NTRA weekly poll and the Breeders’ Cup Classic contender rankings after winning the Whitney Stakes. Nitrogen rose to No. 2 in the NTRA poll after finishing second in the Whitney, while Deterministic moved to No. 3 after winning the Fourstardave Stakes.

At Los Alamitos, quarter-horse racing includes Golden State Derby trials featuring Doodah Cartel.

The source also noted that authorities were investigating unusual betting activity after four horses won on Aug. 9 at Saratoga and Monmouth at odds ranging from 7-2 to 17-1.

What to watch next

The key next step for bettors and racing fans is Sunday’s expected Pacific Classic field announcement. That should clarify whether Knightsbridge will run at Del Mar and how deep the final lineup will be ahead of the Aug. 22 race.

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Source: As reported by Kevin Modesti.