Two graded turf stakes support Pacific Classic card

DEL MAR, Calif. – While the Pacific Classic understandably is the focal point Saturday, there are two significant stakes on the undercard, both on turf, including the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

Mokat, the winner of the Grade 2 San Clemente here on July 23, is the best of the local runners in the 1 1/8-mile Del Mar Oaks, but the race picked up a significant invader on Monday when trainer Bill Mott decided to send Harmonize to the race. Harmonize most recently finished fifth in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks behind Catch a Glimpse.

Others likely for the Del Mar Oaks include Barleysugar, Cheekaboo, Decked Out, Lady Valeur, and Tin Type Gal.

Also Saturday is the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Handicap for older grass runners at 1 3/8 miles. Ashleyluvsugar, second in this race last year and second in the Eddie Read last time out, heads the field.

Peter Miller is expected to run both Finnegans Wake, fifth in the Eddie Read in his last start, and the recently arrived Belisarius, who had been with Mott in New York.

Others expected for the Del Mar Handicap include Metaboss, Patentar, Power Foot, and Texas Ryano.