Last week offered an insightful look at the Breeders’ Cup Classic picture, with Fieceness landing the Travers Stakes and City of Troy securing victory in the Juddmonte International. However, further clues will be on offer at the home of this year’s Breeders’ Cup when the Pacific Classic is run at Del Mar.
Before Betting On Pacific Classic
The Pacific Classic is one of the eye-catching Grade Ones on the U.S. calendar in the second half of the season, with the winner automatically securing their spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The G1 Pacific Classic will be contested over a distance of 1 ¼ miles on the dirt this weekend, with the field competing for their share of the $1 million purse.
Dr Venkman looks to be a solid starting point when assessing the leading contenders this year. The Mark Glatt-runner was last seen winning the G2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar, which was his third win in five attempts. That step up in trip appeared to bring out the best in him, and he is very hard to dismiss this weekend once again.
Bob Baffert has a number of runners in the race this weekend, including Adare Manor and Reincarnate. Adare Manor will be looking to become the first filly or mare to win the race since Beholder in 2015, and she brings some high-quality form to the table this weekend. She has won on three starts this season, including most recently in the G1 Clement L Hirsch Stakes by just under three lengths from Scylla.
John Sadler’s record in the Pacific deserves plenty of respect, as he landed a fourth win in the race since 2018 with Flightline in 2022. Full Serrano has a contrasting profile to the superstar Classic winner from 2022, as he made his first start in the U.S. earlier this month when landing success in an allowance optional claimer in dominant fashion.
Pacific Classic Odds & Picks
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Adare Manor | +180 |
| Dr Venkman | +250 |
| Full Serrano | +500 |
| Il Miracolo | +800 |
| Katonah | +800 |
| Mixto | +1200 |
There are plenty of runners with something to prove this weekend, meaning it could be worth siding with an experienced runner in graded company. Il Miracolo has form at the very highest level on track, and has already won over the distance when scoring in the G3 Ghostzapper Stakes this term.
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