Del Mar has drawn a field of eight for Saturday’s 35th renewal of the GI Pacific Classic, featuring a highly anticipated matchup between 3-year-old star Journalism (Curlin) and older rivals including two ‘TDN Rising Stars.’
The 10-furlong contest serves as a “Win & You’re In” qualifier for the Nov. 1 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will also be held at the seaside oval.
Track oddsmaker John Lies installed ‘TDN Rising Star’ Nysos (Nyquist) as the 8-5 morning-line favorite following his victory in the July 26 GII San Diego Handicap, which improved his record to five wins from six starts.
Journalism, making his first start against older horses, sits just behind at 9-5. The Curlin colt enters the race with impressive credentials after capturing both the GI Preakness Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes earlier this season.
East Coast shipper Fierceness (City of Light), the 2023 Eclipse champion 2-year-old colt and a triple Grade I winner, rounds out the top contenders at 3-1.
The complete field for the Pacific Classic, with riders and morning-line odds:
- 1. Fierceness, John Velazquez, 3-1
- 2. Midnight Mammoth (Midnight Lute), Armando Ayuso, 12-1
- 3. Ultimate Gamble (Medaglia d’Oro), Kazushi Kimura, 20-1
- 4. Nysos, Flavien Prat, 8-5
- 5. Indispensable (Constitution), Paco Lopez, 15-1
- 6. Journalism, Umberto Rispoli, 9-5
- 7. Lure Him In (Khozan), Edwin Gonzalez, 20-1
- 8. Tarantino (Pioneerof the Nile), Edwin Madonado, 20-1
The post position draw took place Tuesday evening at The Brigantine Restaurant near Del Mar.
The Pacific Classic will run as race 10 on Saturday’s 11-race card, which features four additional graded stakes. First post is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PT.
