The Pacific Classic Day drama started long before the gates even opened. Hours before post time, a hush fell over Bob Baffert’s barn when it became official: Nysos, one of the top contenders and a slight morning-line favorite, was scratched from the 2025 Pacific Classic after the Hall of Fame trainer detected bruising in the colt’s hind hoof.
Baffert, visibly disappointed, tried to soften the blow for fans.
“He was fine earlier,” Baffert said. “But when we double-checked on him, we found some bruising. It’s nothing major — just bad timing.”
Nysos, the son of Nyquist, had been working sharply leading into the race, including a five-furlong drill in :58.8 handily at Del Mar last Saturday. But after a career already marred by injuries, including a 15-month layoff before his powerful runner-up finish in the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes earlier this year, connections weren’t willing to take the risk.
The Field Without Nysos: Fierceness vs. Journalism Takes Center Stage
With Nysos out, the balance of power in the Pacific Classic has shifted. The focus now lands on Fierceness (John R. Velazquez, 8/5) and Journalism (Umberto Rispoli, even), two elite performers expected to dominate the mile-and-a-quarter test.
Here’s the revised field and morning-line odds:
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Fierceness (John R. Velazquez) – 8/5
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Midnight Mammoth (Armando Ayuso) – 8-1
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Ultimate Gamble (Kazushi Kimura) – 15-1
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Nysos – SCRATCHED
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Indispensable (Paco Lopez) – 12-1
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Journalism (Umberto Rispoli) – even
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Lure Him In (Hector I. Berrios) – 20-1
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Tarantino (Edwin Maldonado) – 15-1
The Classic, offering a $1 million purse, headlines Saturday’s 11-race card with a scheduled post time of 6 p.m.
Pacific Classic History: Where Shocks and Legends Collide
The Pacific Classic has long been Del Mar’s grandest stage — and it has delivered its share of unforgettable upsets. Fans still talk about Dare And Go’s $81.20 shocker in 1996, when Richard Mandella’s colt ran down the seemingly unbeatable Cigar, stunning the 40,000-strong crowd into silence.
Trainer Mandella still remembers every stride:
“Cigar put away Siphon, but when Dare And Go came, he had no answer. It was the best race he ever ran.”
Other surprise winners include:
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Missionary Ridge ($51) — 1992
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Student Council ($48.80) — 2007
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Richard’s Kid ($50.80) — 2009
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Mixto ($46.60) — 2024
These stories fuel the anticipation that another outsider — perhaps Midnight Mammoth, Ultimate Gamble, or Tarantino — could upset the odds today.
Upset Watch: Who Could Play Spoiler This Year?
With Nysos out, several camps are quietly optimistic:
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Craig Dollase believes Midnight Mammoth’s stamina could shine:
“We’ve proven at this distance,” he said. “Some of these others haven’t.”
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Mark Glatt, trainer of Ultimate Gamble, embraces the longshot role:
“We’re taking a swing. He’ll love the mile and a quarter. Let’s see if we can make some noise.”
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Peter Eurton sends out Tarantino and hopes for early speed tactics:
“If he gets loose up front, anything’s possible. This is the Pacific Classic — surprises happen.”
Media Picks: Strong Support for Journalism
In a survey of industry insiders ahead of the Pacific Classic 2025, sentiment leaned heavily toward Journalism:
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Steve Andersen (Daily Racing Form): “Adores a mile and a quarter.”
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Bob Ike (KLAA AM830): “With Nysos out, it opens the door for him.”
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Brigitte Becko (Del Mar Thoroughbred Club) bucks the trend, siding with Midnight Mammoth:
“He has the stamina, and he’s a beauty.”
Final Word
With Nysos scratched from the Pacific Classic, today’s race takes on a new shape — wide open, unpredictable, and dripping with possibility. Fierceness and Journalism may headline, but Del Mar has seen enough history to know one thing: on Pacific Classic Day, nothing is guaranteed.
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