Pacific Classic goes a week later this year

The $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar will be run a week later than a year ago, one of a few minor revisions on the stakes schedule for Del Mar's upcoming meeting, which runs from July 24 to Sept. 11.

The highlight of the season, the $1 million Pacific Classic, will be run on Aug. 25, a week later than last year. The Pacific Classic is one of five Grade 1 races on the schedule.

There are two Grade 1 stakes on opening weekend, the Ramona Handicap for fillies and mares on July 27 and the Eddie Read Handicap on July 28.

Last year, the Read was run on the second weekend, but has been moved forward to give California horses an opportunity to use the race as a prep for the Arlington Million.

Overall, there are very few changes in distances, purses, or race placement on the 2002 calendar. One stakes will offer a lower prize this year, the Solana Beach Handicap for California-bred fillies and mares over a mile on turf on Sept. 2 has been reduced by $25,000 to $100,000.

The Sept. 2 program is one of four days at the meeting with two stakes.

The stakes schedule does not list several $75,000 stakes, including the Escondido, Osunitas, Torrey Pines, and El Cajon Stakes, but they will be added to the calendar as overnight races, according to director of racing Tom Robbins.

2002 Del Mar stakes schedule

DATEEVENTCONDITIONSDISTANCEPURSE

Wed. July 24OCEANSIDE STAKES 3YOOne Mile (T)$100,000

Fri. July 26CTBA STAKES 2YOF (CA bred)5 1/2 Furlongs*125,000

Sat. July 27RAMONA HCP (G1) 3&up F&M1 1/8 Miles (T)400,000

Sat. July 27BING CROSBY BC HCP (G2)3&upSix Furlongs**200,000

Sun. July 28FLEET TREAT STAKES 3YOF (CA bred)7 Furlongs100,000

Sun. July 28EDDIE READ HCP (G1) 3&up1 1/8 Miles (T)400,000

Wed. July 31GRADUATION STAKES2YO (CA bred)5 1/2 furlongs*125,000

Sat. Aug. 3SAN CLEMENTE HCP (G2)3YOFOne Mile (T)150,000

Sun. Aug. 4SAN DIEGO HCP (G2)3&up1 1/16 Miles250,000

Sat. Aug. 10SORRENTO STAKES (G2)2YOF6 1/2 Furlongs150,000

Sun. Aug. 11CLEMENT L. HIRSCH HCP (G2)3&up F&M1 1/16 Miles300,000

Mon. Aug. 12REAL GOOD DEAL STAKES 3YO (CA bred)7 Furlongs100,000

Sat. Aug. 17LA JOLLA HCP (G3)3YO1 1/16 Miles (T)150,000

Sun. Aug. 18PAT O'BRIEN HCP (G2)3&up7 Furlongs150,000

Wed. Aug. 21BEST PAL STAKES (G3)2YO6 1/2 Furlongs150,000

Sat. Aug. 24DEL MAR OAKS (G1)3YOF1 1/8 Miles (T)300,000

Sun. Aug. 25PACIFIC CLASSIC (G1)3&up1 1/4 Miles1,000,000

Sun. Aug. 25RANCHO BERNARDO HCP (G3)3&up F&M6 1/2 Furlongs150,000

Sat. Aug. 31DEL MAR DEBUTANTE2YOF7 Furlongs250,000

Sun. Sept. 1DEL MAR HCP (G2)3&up1 3/8 Miles (T)250,000

Mon. Sept. 2SOLANA BEACH HCP 3YOF (CA bred)One Mile (T)100,000

Mon. Sept. 2DEL MAR BC HCP (G2)3&upOne Mile ****250,000

Wed. Sept. 4GENEROUS PORTION STAKES 2YOF (CA bred)Six Furlongs***100,000

Sat. Sept. 7DEL MAR DERBY (G2)3YO1 1/8 Miles (T)300,000

Sun. Sept. 8PALOMAR HCP (G2)3&up F&M1 1/16 Miles (T)150,000

Mon. Sept. 9I'M SMOKIN STAKES 2YO (CA bred)Six Furlongs***100,000

Wed. Sept. 11DEL MAR FUTURITY (G2)2YO7 Furlongs250,000

* CTBA, Graduation 100,000 + 25,000 California-Bred Race Fund

** Bing Crosby BC 150,000 + 50,000 Breeders' Cup Fund

*** Generous Portion, I'm Smokin 80,000 + 20,000 California-Bred Race Fund

**** Del Mar BC 150,000 + 100,000 Breeders' Cup Fund