The complexion of this year’s Grade 1 Pacific Classic has changed dramatically following the retirement of expected favourite Nysos, leaving Del Mar’s $1 million feature on August 22 without a clear standout. With the leading contender no longer in the picture, several trainers are now weighing up a late bid for one of California’s most prestigious races.
Pacific Classic 2026.
The revised list of possible starters now includes Nevada Beach, Bartholdy, British Isles, Navajo Warrior and Om N Joy, each adding fresh intrigue to a race that suddenly appears far more open than it did only days ago.
Nysos was removed from consideration after routine diagnostic imaging revealed subtle changes that require time away from competition. Although the Grade 1 Met Mile winner is not injured, the decision was made to retire the son of Nyquist rather than pursue the remainder of the season. It marks the second successive year that Nysos has missed the Pacific Classic after being aimed at the race.
Trainer Bob Baffert is still expected to have representation through Nevada Beach, last year’s Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes winner at Del Mar. The son of Omaha Beach recently completed a seven-furlong workout as preparations continue for his first appearance since the Saudi Cup in February.
Bartholdy has also emerged as an interesting addition after joining Steve Knapp’s stable through a recent claim. The son of Mendelssohn impressed with a commanding allowance victory at Del Mar late last month and brings consistent graded stakes form into consideration.
Richard Baltas is evaluating Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap winner British Isles for the assignment. Since his biggest career success in March, the son of Justify has competed respectably in graded company and has continued to work steadily toward another top-level appearance.
One of the more intriguing names under consideration is Om N Joy. The California-bred filly produced a strong late finish when runner-up in last week’s Grade 1 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar and could attempt the longer mile-and-a-quarter journey against males.
Florida-based Navajo Warrior has also entered calculations after connections redirected Hollywood Gold Cup winner Forged Steel to Saratoga’s Whitney Stakes. Instead, the Grade 3 Cornhusker Stakes winner may make the trip west for the Pacific Classic.
Veteran conditioner Richard Mandella remains firmly committed to running Argentine-bred Subsanador, whose recent mile workout was designed to replicate race conditions after missing the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap.
Other horses still under consideration include 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Full Serrano, Chilean-bred The Goat, Knightsbridge, Japanese raider Finger and Hollywood Gold Cup runner-up Malarchuk.
Nominations for the 36th running of the Pacific Classic 2026 close on August 13, with the official field to be drawn three days later.
Saturday’s Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes has attracted a cosmopolitan field, with five of the seven runners travelling from outside California for the mile-and-asixteenth contest on Del Mar’s Jimmy Durante Turf Course.
Kentucky-based Princess Attitude, Sweet Rebecca and Florida visitor Vincey Girl occupy the inside stalls, while Warming returns to Del Mar after last season’s brief dirt experiment. Whiskey Decision has also settled well since transferring to Michael McCarthy’s California stable and arrives with solid graded stakes credentials.
Warming enters the race after a productive campaign on turf and synthetic surfaces, highlighted by victory in the Grade 3 Gallorette Stakes earlier this year. Princess Attitude brings distinguished European bloodlines through unbeaten champion Frankel, while Sweet Rebecca has already collected multiple stakes victories during an impressive campaign.
The home team is represented by Princess Moche and dual Grade 3 winner Take A Breath, whose consistent form in graded company makes her one of the principal local hopes.
The Yellow Ribbon Stakes is scheduled as Race 8 on Saturday’s ten-race programme.
Saturday’s Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes will offer the season’s first meaningful examination of Del Mar’s emerging two-year-old division, with several exciting maiden winners stepping into graded company for the first time.
Bob Baffert saddles Hughes, whose six-length debut victory at Los Alamitos marked him as one of the meeting’s brightest prospects. He faces strong opposition from Kennyten, an impressive first-out winner for Vladimir Cerin, and Doug O’Neill’s He Is No Lie, who narrowly missed adding a graded success after finishing runner-up in the Bashford Manor Stakes.
O’Neill also fields Phone Booth, another debut winner, while Icanthelpmyself and You Want Some remain maidens entering the six-furlong contest.
The Best Pal Stakes serves as Del Mar’s traditional stepping stone towards next month’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and has long showcased many of California’s leading juvenile performers.
Away from the racing programme, Del Mar will also resume its free weekend racing seminars, giving racegoers an opportunity to hear expert analysis ahead of Saturday and Sunday’s cards.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz