Led by Knightsbridge, eclectic field set for Pacific Classic
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DEL MAR, Calif. – There’s never been a Pacific Classic quite like this Saturday’s at Del Mar.
A favorite who popped a 122 Beyer Speed Figure last out? This year is a first. Pacific Classic runners from six racetracks? Until this year, it never happened. A shipper from Japan? A California-bred filly? Both firsts for the richest race of the Del Mar summer season.
It’s true that the Grade 1, 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic does not include division leaders Sovereignty and Golden Tempo, or recently retired Nysos and Journalism. But so what? There has never been a more eclectic field for the race, nor a favorite with such a gaudy figure.
Knightsbridge will try to reproduce the 122 Beyer he earned last out in his first route – a front-running romp by more than 10 lengths in the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup at 1 1/8 miles. Trainer Bill Mott acknowledged the additional furlong in a Pacific Classic loaded with speed.
“Big challenge, big challenge,” Mott said.
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But he has reason to be optimistic Knightsbridge will stay the longer trip.
“Just the way he handled two turns last time – that was a mile and an eighth,” said Mott. “He had to prove that. Now he’s got to prove he can go a mile and a quarter.”
In addition to 5-2 program favorite Knightsbridge, the field includes the Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained graded stakes winners Navajo Warrior and Forged Steel; Grade 1 winners Subsanador, Hit Show, and Full Serrano; Finger, a Japan-based 3-year-old who won the Tokyo Derby last out; and Om N Joy, a Cal-bred filly facing males.
The 11 runners raced last time on six racetracks. The field also includes Malarchuk, Original Sin, and British Isles. The Pacific Classic, a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, is race 10.
The program includes the Grade 2 Green Flash Handicap, race 5 for turf sprinters, led by three-time Green Flash winner Motorious. The Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, race 8 on turf, includes Grade 1 Belmont Oaks winner Kensington Lane. The Grade 2 Del Mar Mile, race 11 on turf, includes Grade 1 winner King of Gosford.
Knightsbridge’s 122 Beyer is the third-highest in the last decade and a 20-point jump from his runner-up finish in the Metropolitan Handicap. One might wonder if Knightsbridge is a “bounce” candidate.
“I believe when they run a real huge race, sometimes they don’t come back on short rest very well,” Mott said. “Hopefully, he’s had enough time.”
In the five weeks since Knightsbridge raced, Mott said the 5-year-old “couldn’t have been better” in his training.
As for the lofty figure, history favors Knightsbridge. In the past decade, six horses have run again after earning a 120 Beyer or higher. All six regressed by an average of seven points their next start, but it did not matter. All six won.
Junior Alvarado rides Knightsbridge, who’s owned and bred by Godolphin. Knightsbridge has won 7 of 11, and his outside post gives Alvarado the option to press the pace in the clear.
The Pacific Classic is loaded with speed. Forged Steel, Finger, Malarchuk, Navajo Warrior, Full Serrano, and Knightsbridge all recently raced on or near the lead. The speed of the speed might be the Joseph-trained Forged Steel.
“The intent is to put him on the lead and go as fast as he can for as far as he can,” Joseph said. “Last time we tried to take him back, he got bottled inside, and then he got rank and he couldn’t get outside.”
Forged Steel finished fifth in the Grade 2 Suburban at Saratoga. In his previous start, he wired the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita by more than nine lengths. Edwin Gonzalez rides Forged Steel, listed at 5-1.
Joseph’s best chance in the Pacific Classic could be Navajo Warrior, whose recent races were front-running wins in Grade 3s at Laurel and Prairie Meadows. He earned a 106 Beyer last out.
“Ironically, he’s never been on the lead until recently,” Joseph said. “Last time, there wasn’t much speed in the race. We think he’s fine sitting behind. He’s done it already. He’s a horse that’s coming off a couple big runs, and he’s continued to improve.”
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Navajo Warrior, a 5-year-old who previously was a California maiden-claiming runner, is better than ever. The 10-for-18 gelding will be ridden Micah Husbands, who three weeks ago at Del Mar teamed with Joseph to upset the Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes with Eunomia.
Listed at 8-1, Navajo Warrior offers value. His trainer knows who he is up against.
“Obviously, full respect to Knightsbridge. If the number is real last time, then we’re all in trouble,” Joseph said. “We hope that the numbers weren’t right that day.”
Subsanador will try to win the Pacific Classic off an 89-day break. Flightline won off an 84-day break in 2022. Subsanador is not Flightline, but he is better than his last-place finish May 25 in the Hollywood Gold Cup.
“He lost a shoe. It was hanging on by one nail,” trainer Richard Mandella said. “He’d have been better off throwing it away.”
Mandella skipped a prep and trained Subsanador into the Pacific Classic. Is he as good at age 7 as he was in 2024, when he won the Grade 1 California Crown?
“As far as the last month’s been, the answer seems yes,” Mandella said. “His works were good enough before, but he didn’t seem to have enthusiasm. Now it looks like we kind of got him on a better note.”
Subsanador will rally from behind under Mike Smith.
Full Serrano scratched from the San Diego Handicap with a foot issue. Trainer John Sadler, who won four of the last eight Pacific Classics, said Full Serrano trained well for his first start since May 28. He blew the break in the Oaklawn Mile and finished fourth. Then he missed his prep.
“He’s trained really fast the last two works,” Sadler said. “The time [off] is not so much of a concern. It’s the pace scenario. If you project him going in 46, not good for him. But sometimes at a mile and a quarter, you get different splits. Maybe he’s better a little shorter.”
Joel Rosario rides Full Serrano.
Finger is the 3-year-old from Japan who won his last two starts in front-running fashion. The Pacific Classic is his first U.S. start and first against older horses. He is trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka and will be ridden by Keita Tosaki.
Hit Show’s $9,541,683 exceed the combined earnings of his rivals. Brad Cox trains Hit Show, who earned $6.9 million winning the 2025 Dubai World Cup and finished second by 10 lengths last out in the Suburban.
Original Sin ran ninth in the Suburban, but his victory over third-place Hit Show two back in the Grade 3 Blame at Churchill Downs puts him in the hunt. Brendan Walsh trains Original Sin, whose rider is Juan Hernandez.
Om N Joy is the first Cal-bred filly to run in the Pacific Classic. A late-runner, she is suited by the pace and distance.
“The mile and a quarter is going to come naturally for her. That’s right in her wheelhouse,” trainer Aggie Ordonez said.
Om N Joy finished second versus fillies and mares last out in the Clement Hirsch at 1 1/16 miles under Kent Desormeaux. The jockey was asked about the mile and a quarter for Om N Joy.
“I think it hits her right between the eyes,” he said. “I just wish she could do it against girls.”
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