DEL MAR — Eighteen horses have been officially nominated for the Aug. 22 Pacific Classic, and racing secretary David Jerkens believes there will be 10 to 12 horses in the starting gate for Del Mar’s premier event.
The Phil Amato-trained duo of Stronghold and Shea Brennan and the Brendan Walsh-trained Original Sin from Calumet Farms were among the final nominees Thursday night.
But after nominating Shea Brennan, D’Amato announced the runner-up to Journalism in the Grade II San Diego Handicap prep for the Pacific Classic would run instead in the Grade II Pat O’Brien Stakes at 7 furlongs on Aug. 29.
And trainers and owners of several other Pacific Classic nominees could have second thoughts with Friday’s announcement that expected favorite Knightsbridge would be shipping to Del Mar Saturday.
A 5-year-old son of Nyquist, Knightsbridge ran second to Nysos in the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga on June 6, then had an eye-popping win under Flavien Prat in the Grade III Monmouth Cup on July 18.
Knightsbridge won by 10¼ lengths with a Beyer Speed Figure of 122 — the highest dirt figure by a horse since Flightline in 2022. It was also Knightsbridge’s first time around two turns at 1 1/8 miles, although the Pacific Classic will take him another eighth of a mile.
“We knew he was pretty good,” trainer Bill Mott said. “He’s progressed as time has gone on. The Monmouth Cup was a good one, so we’ll see.”
Seven horses started the 2025 Pacific Classic, which was won by Fierceness. There were 10 starters in the 2023, 2019, 2015 and 2014 editions. The last time the race drew 12 starters was 2013.
Trainer John Sadler’s two Pacific Classic nominees, The Goat and Full Serrano, are scheduled to work Saturday morning. Sadler said Full Serrano is in the 36th running of the Classic, while a final decision on The Goat is forthcoming.
In addition to Knightsbridge and Original Sin, other key horses will be shipping in for the Pacific Classic.
Finger departed Japan Friday on a 16-hour flight to Los Angeles. He is scheduled to arrive at Del Mar Sunday after a 48-hour quarantine. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is also planning to ship Forged Steel and Navajo Warrior from Florida. And Hit Show is scheduled to fly in from the east.
The draw for starting positions will be held Sunday at the track.
Millionaire in waiting
Grand Slam Smile, the morning-line 8-5 favorite, will become a millionaire Saturday simply by finishing in the money of the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes — a 1-mile turf test for older Cal-bred fillies and mares.
Grand Slam Smile has 12 wins, six seconds and three thirds for career winnings of $988,120. She was the top Cal-bred Juvenile Filly in 2023 and the 3-year-old filly champion in 2024. And she has a win and a second in two previous Del Mar starts.
“She has been doing very well since she came down here,” said trainer Sean McCarthy. “She loves to train. She loves to run and keeps her form steady.”
Grand Slam Smile is the defending champion of the Solana Beach and has won four of five Cal-bred stakes since then. With regular rider William Antongeorgi III riding at Ellis Park this summer, Del Mar riding leader Juan Hernandez will be aboard Grand Slam Smile for this Solana Beach.
Take Another Card (Umberto Rispoli) and Can’t Sleep (Emisael Jaramillo) are seen as the top threats to Grand Slam Smile in the 12-horse field. Take Another Card has finished second to Grand Slam Smile three times. Can’t Sleep lost by a nose at the wire to Amorita in the July 25 Daisycutter.
Going the distance
There is a second stakes Saturday, the 1 3/8-mile, $100,000 CTT and TOC Stakes for older fillies and mares. It is one of two three-turn stakes races this summer.
The 11-horse field is led by the Phil D’Amato duo of Kentucky Gal and Innovative, who ran 1-2, respectively, in the $100,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes in June at Santa Anita.
Del Mar’s other 1 3/8-mile marathon is the Del Mar Handicap on Aug. 28. D’Amato’s Gold Phoenix will be seeking a fifth straight Del Mar Handicap to run his record number of Del Mar stakes wins to seven.
Notable
Winner Hughes posted a 101 Equibase Speed Figure in last Saturday’s Grade III Best Pal, the highest mark for a 2-year-old this year. Trainer Bob Baffert is pointing Hughes to the Sept. 6 Grade I Del Mar Futurity.
Jockey leaders Hernandez (24) and Joel Rosario (20) each won two races Friday, as did Kazushi Kimura, who is fourth in the standings with 13 wins.