Horse racing fans around the world are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the summer racing calendar: the 2025 Pacific Classic at Del Mar. This Grade 1 stakes race, with a massive $1 million purse, consistently attracts some of the sport's most talented thoroughbreds.
The race serves as a crucial "Win and You're In" qualifier for the prestigious Breeders' Cup Classic, meaning the winner secures a guaranteed spot in the year-end championship. US Racing experts in horse racing and betting can tell you that the excitement and opportunity surrounding this event are unmatched. Whether you are a seasoned bettor or a curious newcomer, understanding the race's nuances is the first step toward a successful wager.
You can find the best Pacific Classic odds and more comprehensive analysis on our platform. We offer detailed data and insights to help you make informed decisions, whether you choose to bet on Pacific Classic favorites or long shots.
Getting in on the action and watching the race unfold live is a must for any horse racing enthusiast. You have several excellent options for catching all the thrilling moments of the 2025 Pacific Classic. Many off-track betting (OTB) sites and online sportsbooks, such as BUSR, also provide live streaming services for their account holders. This means you can watch the race directly from your device, creating a seamless experience from analyzing the Pacific Classic betting lines to cheering on your chosen horse.
Mark your calendars, because the 35th running of the Pacific Classic is set for Saturday, August 30, 2025. The day promises a full card of thrilling races, with Del Mar's gates opening at 11:30 a.m. PST and the first race kicking off at 1:30 p.m. PST. While the exact post time for the Pacific Classic itself has yet to be finalized, it will headline the afternoon's program and is likely to be one of the later races on the card, with a post time around 6 p.m. PST. The entire day at Del Mar is a spectacle, featuring five graded stakes races, including the Del Mar Handicap and the Del Mar Mile. This packed schedule offers bettors a wealth of opportunities before the main event. Del Mar’s summer meet runs from July 18 to September 7, with the Pacific Classic serving as the season’s pinnacle.
The Pacific Classic is the crown jewel, but the supporting card at Del Mar on August 30th features a collection of high-stakes races. The day's program includes the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap, the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile, the Grade 3 Green Flash Handicap, and the Grade 3 Torrey Pines Stakes. These races offer excellent opportunities to observe the track conditions and gauge how the day's events are unfolding before placing your final wager on the Pacific Classic.
Looking at the undercard, you will see a variety of distances and surfaces. The Del Mar Handicap, run at 1 3/8 miles on the turf, tests a horse's stamina, while the Green Flash Handicap, at a blistering 5 furlongs on the turf, is all about raw speed. The Del Mar Mile on the turf and the Torrey Pines Stakes on the main track for fillies offer even more diversity. Analyzing these races can provide valuable insights into jockey and trainer form, and a successful day on these undercard races can build your confidence and bankroll heading into the main event.
The weather can significantly impact a horse race, particularly affecting the condition of the dirt track. For the 2025 Pacific Classic, the forecast for Del Mar on Saturday, August 30, is ideal. Expect a sunny day with a high temperature of approximately 26°C (79°F) and a low of 21°C (70°F). Humidity is predicted to be around 69%, with a gentle westerly wind of about 8 mph. There is a 0% chance of rain, so we can expect a fast track, which will favor horses with a good cruising speed and a strong finishing kick. This kind of weather creates a level playing field for all competitors, allowing the best horse to win without any adverse track conditions influencing the outcome.
In US Racing, we know that success on the track—and at the betting window—comes from a detailed understanding of each horse in the field. The 2025 Pacific Classic has assembled a fascinating group of contenders, each with their own unique strengths, weaknesses, and a compelling narrative. Here is a deep dive into each of the eight horses vying for the $1 million prize, from the favorites to the long shots.
Nysos, a four-year-old colt trained by the legendary Bob Baffert, enters the race as a deserving morning-line favorite. He has a near-perfect record of five wins in six career starts. His career started with a bang, including dominant victories in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes and the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes.
A significant injury, unfortunately, sidelined him for over a year, forcing him to miss the 2024 Triple Crown. However, he returned as a four-year-old with a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes and followed that with two consecutive wins in the Grade 3 Triple Bend Stakes and the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap. His victory in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar was imposing, as he stalked the pace and drew away to a dominant win.
Nysos has proven he can handle the Del Mar track and the distance of a route race. His tactical speed and powerful closing kick make him a very dangerous horse. With Hall of Fame jockey Flavien Prat in the irons, they are a formidable combination.
Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism is a three-year-old colt with a sterling reputation, and his resume backs it up. He boasts a record of six wins, two seconds, and a third in nine career starts. His major wins include the Preakness Stakes and the Haskell Stakes, solidifying his status as one of the best three-year-olds in the country.
He has amassed close to $3.8 million in career earnings. Journalism has demonstrated a remarkable ability to succeed in various settings and on diverse platforms. His running style is versatile; he can stalk the pace or sit farther back and unleash a late run.
He has the class and experience of a high-level competitor, and the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Pacific Classic should be well within his capabilities. Jockey Umberto Rispoli has a strong rapport with this horse, and together, they pose the most significant threat to Nysos.
Fierceness, a four-year-old trained by Todd Pletcher, brings a Grade 1-winning resume and over $4.5 million in career earnings. He was the champion two-year-old male of 2023 and had a breakout performance in the 2024 Florida Derby, which he won by an astonishing 13 1/2 lengths. While his performance in the Kentucky Derby was a disappointment, he bounced back with an impressive win in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs, setting a new track record in the process.
He has since been inconsistent, finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga in his most recent outing. Fierceness is a horse with immense talent and brilliant speed. If he can recapture his top form, he could easily steal the race. His post position on the rail gives him a direct path to the front, and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez knows how to get the most out of a horse with a need for early speed.
Trained by Craig Dollase, Midnight Mammoth is a six-year-old gelding with a reputation as a durable and consistent performer. He has won a graded stakes race and showed his class with a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita.
While he missed an intended start in the Pacific Classic last year due to injury, he has returned to form and is ready to take on this challenge. He thrives on a fast, honest pace and can stay all day. He is a horse who will be running hard in the final strides when others are tiring. While he may not possess the top-end speed of the favorites, his stamina and determination could lead to a valuable finish, making him an excellent choice for a lower spot in your exotic bets.
Indispensable, a four-year-old colt from the barn of four-time Pacific Classic winner John Sadler, has shown some flashes of brilliance in his career. His recent form is encouraging, with a victory in a race at Zia Park and a couple of runner-up and third-place finishes in graded and listed stakes.
His pedigree suggests he has the talent to compete at this level, and with a trainer who knows this race better than almost anyone, he is a horse to watch. While a win might be a long shot, he could easily hit the board, offering a huge payout on your trifecta or superfecta tickets. Paco Lopez, a skilled rider, will be in the saddle.
Ultimate Gamble, a five-year-old horse trained by Mark Glatt, is a valid wild card in this race. His record is thin on major stakes wins, but he can surprise. With long odds of 20-1, a win would be a significant upset, but in horse racing, anything can happen.
A few wins in lower-level races have marked his career, and a recent second-place finish in a graded race suggests he may be coming into form at the right time. He has the speed to be a factor early in the race, and if the favorites falter, he could be there to pick up the pieces.
Lure Him In, a seven-year-old gelding, is one of the oldest competitors in the field. He has a mixed record but has shown an ability to compete in high-stakes races on occasion. His consistency has been a question mark, but his trainer, Sam Wilensky, has a reputation for preparing his horses for big performances. With long odds, he is a significant risk, but an experienced hand like Edwin Gonzalez could help him pull off a surprise.
Tarantino, an eight-year-old gelding, rounds out the field at 20-1. He is a multiple graded-stakes placed horse with a recent third-place finish in the San Diego Handicap, the key local prep for this race.
His solid performance against Nysos in San Diego demonstrates that he can compete at this level. While he is older and has a long history of races, his recent form shows he is still a viable competitor. He could be a great value play for your exotic wagers, and jockey Edwin Maldonado will be looking to capitalize on any mistakes from the favorites.
Understanding the history of a race is a crucial part of any expert analysis. The Pacific Classic has seen some legendary horses cross the finish line first since its inaugural running in 1991. One of the most dominant winners was the undefeated Flightline in 2022, who delivered a spectacular 19 1/4-length victory with a record-breaking time of 1:59.28.
Other notable winners include California Chrome in 2016 and the outstanding mare Beholder in 2015, who famously beat her male rivals. The two-time winner, Tinner's Way (1994, 1995), and the five-time winner, Lava Man (2006), also stand out in the history of this race. Bob Baffert, the trainer of Nysos, holds the record for most wins with seven, including Arabian Knight in 2023.
Jockeys have also left their mark on the Pacific Classic. Flavien Prat has three wins, including Arabian Knight in 2023 and Flightline in 2022. Gary Stevens has four wins, while Mike E. Smith and Garrett Gomez have also secured multiple victories. This history provides valuable context. A trainer like Baffert, with his unparalleled success in this race, is a factor to consider when evaluating his horse, Nysos. His familiarity with the Del Mar track and the demands of a 1 1/4-mile race on the dirt gives his horse a distinct advantage.
The 2025 Pacific Classic is shaping up to be a fascinating tactical race. Nysos, the morning-line favorite, has a sensational record and demonstrated his ability to handle the Del Mar track with a dominant performance in the San Diego Handicap. His running style as a stalker means he can sit just off the pace and unleash a powerful late kick.
Journalism is another strong contender. He has shown versatility in his career and can adapt to different race dynamics. As a stalker, he should also be running toward the front in the stretch.
Fierceness, the third choice, brings top-tier speed figures and has proven his mettle against elite competition. His second-place finish in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita shows his capacity to handle a distance and a challenging field.
When you bet on Pacific Classic, consider the running styles. With three of the top contenders being stalkers, the pace of the race will be critical. If an unexpected long shot sets a blistering pace, it could set up a thrilling finish for the horses coming from off the pace. We recommend a strategic approach to Pacific Classic betting.
Start by analyzing the top three contenders, as one of them is highly likely to take the win. However, for exacta, trifecta, or superfecta wagers, look to the long shots with good recent form.
A horse like Indispensable, with a win in his last start and the backing of a four-time winning trainer in John Sadler, could be a key component to a profitable exotic bet.
For the best Pacific Classic odds, be sure to check our sportsbook in the hours leading up to the race, as they will fluctuate based on public money.
The 2025 Pacific Classic offers an exceptional blend of world-class competition, historical significance, and a thrilling betting landscape. We have walked you through the essential information, from the race schedule and weather to the odds for the whole field and expert analysis.
Now it's your turn to take this knowledge and apply it to your betting strategy. Don't just watch the race—become a part of the action. Place your bets, and get ready for a truly unforgettable day at the races.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
