Accelerate likely to face at least six in Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. – Led by the two-time Grade 1 winner Accelerate, the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 18 is likely to have at least seven starters.

The $1 million Pacific Classic, the richest annual race at Del Mar, is run at 1 1/4 miles. The winner receives a fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3.

Accelerate, owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis and trained by John Sadler, has won two Grade 1 races at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita this year – the Santa Anita Handicap in March and the Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 26 in his most recent start. In between those races, Accelerate was second in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap in April.

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Accelerate was held out of the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on July 21 in favor of the Pacific Classic.

Other candidates for the Pacific Classic are Beach View, Dr. Dorr, Mubtaahij, Pavel, Prime Attraction, and The Lieutenant.

Pavel won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 16, earning a fees-paid berth in the BC Classic.

Beach View is the only stakes winner at the current meeting, having won the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at 1 1/2 miles on July 25.

The multiple turf-stakes winner Sharp Samurai is expected to run in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 19 rather than the Pacific Classic, trainer Mark Glatt said recently.