$1 million bonus tied to three Southern California stakes

CYPRESS, Calif. – Del Mar and The Stronach Group, the parent company of Santa Anita, announced Thursday that they are offering a $1 million bonus to a horse who can sweep three Grade 1 races this summer and fall – the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 20, the $300,000 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 1, and the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 5.

Among the horses who could participate in the three races is 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome, the winner of the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 26. Trainer Art Sherman said the Pacific Classic and BC Classic are goals for California Chrome in the second half of the year.

No horse has won all three races in the same season, although several have won two. Shared Belief won the Pacific Classic and Awesome Again Stakes in 2014 but finished a troubled fourth in the BC Classic that year.