Knightsbridge has fees-paid berth in BC Classic, but he's not a definite
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DEL MAR, Calif. - There are pivotal decisions looming for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin Racing and trainer Bill Mott regarding race plans for Knightsbridge, the runaway winner of Saturday’s Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar.
Knightsbridge earned a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31 after winning the $1 million Pacific Classic by 6 1/4 lengths. But Godolphin and Mott already have Sovereignty, the 2025 Horse of the Year, scheduled to run in the same race.
Knightsbridge could be rerouted to the BC Dirt Mile at Keeneland on the same day, Mott said on Sunday. He stopped well short of committing to that plan.
“We’ll wait and let the dust settle,” he said. “We’ve got to look at all the different scenarios.
“We haven’t decided what yet.”
Mott said he “doubts” that Knightsbridge would race again before Oct. 31. Sovereignty won the sixth stakes of his career in the Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 8 and is booked to run in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Sept. 18.
“We want to see Sovereignty run in the Gold Cup,” Mott said, elaborating on a factor that will decide Breeders’ Cup plans.
Knightsbridge was the 11-10 favorite in the Pacific Classic. He disputed the pace with Full Serrano to the top of the stretch before pulling clear. Ridden by Junior Alvarado, Knightsbridge led by two lengths with a furlong remaining.
“I’d say he met my expectations,” Mott said. “It’s hard not to like that. It was pretty good.”
The Pacific Classic was Knightsbridge’s fifth stakes and first at the Grade 1 level.
On July 18, Knightsbridge won the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup at 1 1/8 miles by 10 1/4 lengths at Monmouth Park in his first start at that distance. The Pacific Classic was Knightsbridge’s first start at 1 1/4 miles.
“He’s passed the nine-furlong test and the 10-furlong test,” Mott said.
The three runners behind Knightsbridge in the Pacific Classic – Original Sin, Full Serrano and Om N Joy – could also start in Breeders’ Cup races.
Original Sin, a 21-1 outsider, closed from last of 11 to gain second in the final furlong. The Pacific Classic was his first start in a Grade 1.
“He kept going and ran on well,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “The winner is a serious horse.”
Original Sin has won 4 of 10 starts, including the Grade 3 Blame Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs on May 30 in his stakes debut.
“The distance is key with this horse,” Walsh said. “A mile and a quarter is what he needs more than anything.
“He’s still a lightly raced horse compared to a lot of the others. He seems like he’s on an upward course.”
Walsh, who has a Kentucky-based stable, rates Original Sin as a possible runner in the BC Classic.
“You never know,” he said. “It’s just outside our door.”
Full Serrano won the 2024 BC Dirt Mile at Del Mar and could start in the same race this year in his next start. Trainer John Sadler said the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 26 is a remote possibility for Full Serrano.
“As hard as he ran, the plan would be the Dirt Mile,” Sadler said. “Maybe the Goodwood is in play, but it’s hard to say.”
Om N Joy was the only filly or mare in the Pacific Classic field. Trained by Aggie Ordonez, Om N Joy closed from 10th to finish nine lengths behind Knightsbridge and 1 1/2 lengths behind Full Serrano.
“Everyone was running for second with the way Knightsbridge showed up,” Ordonez said.
Om N Joy was second in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar on Aug. 1. The Pacific Classic was her first start against males.
“She proved she belongs with some of the best horses in the country. We were all proud of her. She never lets us down.”
Options for Om N Joy include the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 27, or going straight to the BC Distaff for fillies and mares at Keeneland on Oct. 31.
The Zenyatta Stakes “is something we’ll talk about,” Ordonez said. “She’ll let us know.
“I’m eager to see and keep a close eye on her in the next few days and next few weeks.
“We were so close to getting second or third.”
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