The 2026 Pacific Classic Stakes will be run Saturday, August 22 at Del Mar Racetrack. The Grade I race is contested at 1¼ miles on dirt for three-year-olds and older with a $1,000,000 guaranteed purse. The winner earns an automatic berth in the 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland.
| Date | Saturday, August 22, 2026 |
| Track | Del Mar Racetrack |
| Distance | 1¼ miles |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade I |
| Purse | $1,000,000 Guaranteed |
| Age | 3-year-olds and up |
| Breeders' Cup | Win & You're In - Breeders' Cup Classic |
| Post Time | 6:30 PM PT / 9:30 PM ET |
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Om N Joy (CA) | K J Desormeaux | A Ordonez | 20-1 |
| 2 | Forged Steel (KY) | E Gonzalez | S A Joseph, Jr. | 5-1 |
| 3 | Finger (JPN) | K Tosaki | H Tanaka | 8-1 |
| 4 | Subsanador (ARG) | M E Smith | R E Mandella | 12-1 |
| 5 | Malarchuk (KY) | U Rispoli | M W McCarthy | 10-1 |
| 6 | Original Sin (KY) | J J Hernandez | B P Walsh | 15-1 |
| 7 | Hit Show (KY) | F Geroux | B H Cox | 6-1 |
| 8 | British Isles (KY) | D A Herrera | R Baltas | 12-1 |
| 9 | Navajo Warrior (KY) | M J Husbands | S A Joseph, Jr. | 8-1 |
| 10 | Full Serrano (ARG) | J Rosario | J W Sadler | 8-1 |
| 11 | Knightsbridge (KY) | J Alvarado | W I Mott | 5-2 |
Last Updated on 08/20/2026
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The Pacific Classic is Del Mar's richest and most prestigious race. The Grade I event brings three-year-olds and older horses together over 1¼ miles on dirt for a $1 million purse. It is also part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, with the winner receiving an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
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The Pacific Classic was inaugurated at Del Mar in 1991 and quickly became the signature race of the track's summer season. California-bred Best Pal won the inaugural running, covering the 1¼ miles in 1:59.80.
The race has produced several memorable performances. Dare and Go scored one of its most famous upsets in 1996, defeating Cigar as the champion attempted to extend his 16-race winning streak. Candy Ride set the race's time record of 1:59.11 in 2003.
Beholder made history in 2015 by becoming the first filly or mare to win the Pacific Classic, defeating males by 8¼ lengths in 1:59.77. California Chrome followed in 2016, becoming the first Kentucky Derby winner to capture the race.
Flightline delivered one of the most dominant performances in Pacific Classic history in 2022, winning by a record 19¼ lengths in 1:59.28. More recently, Arabian Knight won in 2023, Mixto captured the race in 2024, and Fierceness won the 2025 edition in 2:01.00.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Fierceness | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 2:01.00 |
| 2024 | Mixto | Kyle Frey | Doug F. O'Neill | 2:02.10 |
| 2023 | Arabian Knight | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | 2:03.19 |
| 2022 | Flightline | Flavien Prat | John W. Sadler | 1:59.28 |
| 2021 | Tripoli | Tiago Pereira | John W. Sadler | 2:02.37 |
| 2020 | Maximum Security | Abel Cedillo | Bob Baffert | 2:01.24 |
The 2026 Pacific Classic Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, August 22 at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race is scheduled as Race 10 with a post time of 6:30 PM PT. Check USRacing.com for the latest entries and official odds.
The Pacific Classic Stakes is contested at 1¼ miles on the dirt at Del Mar Racetrack.
The 2026 Pacific Classic carries a guaranteed purse of $1,000,000. Under the official race conditions, $600,000 is awarded to the winner, $200,000 to second, $120,000 to third, $60,000 to fourth, and $20,000 to fifth.
Yes. The Pacific Classic is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" race. The nominated winner receives automatic entry into the 2026 Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland, subject to Breeders' Cup eligibility requirements.
Knightsbridge leads the field as the favorite in the 11-horse field for the 2026 Pacific Classic. Check USRacing.com for current odds and race-day updates.
The 2026 Pacific Classic field has been drawn, and morning-line odds are available. Odds can change through post time, so check USRacing.com for the latest Pacific Classic odds.
The Pacific Classic Stakes is a Grade I Thoroughbred race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. It is contested at 1¼ miles on dirt for horses three years old and older and carries a $1 million purse in 2026.
The Pacific Classic is held at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California.
You can bet online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, and select Del Mar and the Pacific Classic from the available racing markets. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Fierceness won the 2025 Pacific Classic under jockey John R. Velazquez for trainer Todd A. Pletcher, completing the 1¼ miles in 2:01.00.
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