Get ready, folks, because the Pacific Classic is about to go down, and it’s bringing some serious heat! This race isn’t just about the cash, though a cool **$1 million purse** certainly doesn’t hurt. Nope, we’re talking a golden ticket, a *fees paid berth* straight into the **$7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic**. That’s the real prize, and it’s why every eye in the racing world turns to Del Mar on August 22.
The Crown Jewel of California Racing
This race has been the crown jewel of California racing for ages, stretching all the way back to 1991. It’s the ultimate test for classic distance horses in the Golden State, and this year’s eleven-horse field is absolutely stacked. Knightsbridge, trained by Bill Mott, is the morning line favorite, but honestly, this is the kind of race where favorites can crumble. You’ve got Om N Joy, a California-bred girl making her first run against the boys at 20-1. She’s got a strong closing kick and five Stakes wins, but let’s be real, she’s “no Beholder.” Then there’s Forged Steel at 5-1, a dominant gate-to-wire winner in the Hollywood Gold Cup in May. But he finished a “non-threatening fifth” last time out, and with an early hot pace expected, that distance might just be his undoing. “Look elsewhere” is the advice.
Dark Horses and International Intrigue
Now, for the real wildcards, the ones that could blow this thing wide open. We’ve got **Finger**, the Japanese import at 8-1 odds. This son of Gun Runner has four wins and four seconds in eight career starts, all on sand in Japan. The big question: is he gonna be **Godzilla or Godzookie** on the Del Mar dirt? Shipping and winning is tough, but Japanese horses have been crushing it on the world stage lately. The advice: “Play him in your exotic and multi-race wagers.” Don’t sleep on Subsanador either, even at 12-1. Trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Mike Smith have *four* Classic wins each, but never together. This Argentinian-bred missed all of 2025 with an injury and hasn’t hit the board in three starts this year, but those strong recent works are looking good. With a rider like Smith on big money days, he’s a “good price play.” And Mularchuk, 10-1, has been top three in nine of ten starts. But only one of those was in graded stakes company, and he finished a “non-threatening second” last out in the Hollywood Gold Cup. “Water may be a bit too deep where the turf meets the surf.”
So, who’s gonna etch their name next to legends like Candy Ride, California Chrome, and Flightline? Race 10 is set for an expected post time of 6:30 PM Pacific on August 22. Get your bets in, because this one’s gonna be a thrill ride right down to the wire. You won’t want to miss who punches their ticket to the Breeders’ Cup!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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