Trainer Bob Baffert has confirmed that Nysos will head to the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on 22 August, ending speculation over a possible trip to Saratoga for the Whitney Stakes. The decision keeps one of America’s leading older dirt horses on a familiar path, with the Pacific Classic expected to serve as his final major outing before the Breeders’ Cup later this year.
Nysos Pacific Classic 2026.
The revised campaign allows the son of Nyquist to contest Del Mar’s premier 10-furlong event before taking a direct route to the Breeders’ Cup, avoiding an additional preparatory race. Nysos has already returned to Del Mar, where he has enjoyed considerable success over the past year.
The accomplished colt has built an outstanding rĂ©sumĂ© with victories in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap, the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar and the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga. Earlier this season, he also produced a strong runner-up performance behind Forever Young in the Saudi Cup, further strengthening his standing among the country’s elite older horses.
Attention at Del Mar also turned to the weekend’s graded stakes winners, both of whom emerged from their victories in good condition.
Journalism enhanced his growing reputation with a determined victory in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap despite losing valuable ground at the start. Recovering from an awkward break, the Curlin colt steadily improved through the race before producing a powerful late run to overhaul his rivals and hold off the fast-finishing Shea Brennan.
Although the San Diego Handicap is traditionally regarded as the principal local trial for the Pacific Classic, connections have yet to confirm Journalism’s next assignment.
Another notable storyline involved Full Serrano, who was withdrawn from the San Diego Handicap after developing a minor hoof issue on race day. Early assessments have been encouraging, leaving open the possibility of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner returning in time for the Pacific Classic. Full Serrano finished second in last year’s edition of the prestigious Del Mar feature.
The Grade 2 San Clemente Stakes also produced an eye-catching result as Somerset West caused a major upset. Stepping sharply up in class after breaking her maiden in her previous outing, the three-year-old filly surged through along the inside rail to secure an impressive victory and hand her stable an important graded success.
Del Mar’s second day of the summer meeting attracted a crowd of 13,838, reflecting the strong early interest in one of North America’s premier racing festivals.
The Nysos Pacific Classic 2026 story is expected to dominate the build-up to next month’s feature race as attention increasingly shifts towards the Breeders’ Cup.
Sunday’s programme also marks the seasonal return of accomplished sprinter Motorious, a three-time winner of the Grade 2 Green Flash Handicap. The eight-year-old makes his first appearance of 2026 in a competitive third-level allowance over the Del Mar turf.
Motorious faces a deep field that includes Grade 3 winner Sumter, multiple stakes performer Flyover, Book Smart, Sorrento Sky, Call Me Cory and Nesso’s Lastharrah. The allowance contest is widely viewed as a stepping stone towards another attempt at the Green Flash Handicap, scheduled for Pacific Classic day.
Looking ahead, Del Mar’s upcoming stakes programme promises another strong weekend of racing. Friday features the Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred three-year-old fillies before Saturday’s prestigious Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes, one of the country’s leading sprint contests and a Breeders’ Cup qualifier.
The Saturday card will also include the Daisycutter Handicap and Osunitas Stakes on turf, while Sunday’s feature is the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes over nine furlongs on grass, attracting several accomplished turf performers.
This summer’s meeting also carries a poignant note following the passing of respected horseman John Shirreffs earlier this year. A Kentucky Derby-winning trainer and the man behind the legendary mare Zenyatta, Shirreffs spent more than three decades at Del Mar and earned widespread admiration for his quiet horsemanship and dedication to the welfare of his horses. His absence is being keenly felt throughout the stable area during the 2026 meeting.
With Nysos Pacific Classic 2026 now firmly on course and several major graded races approaching, Del Mar enters one of the most anticipated periods of its summer season, with many of the country’s leading horses preparing for championship targets later in the year.
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