The stage is set at Del Mar for one of California’s biggest races of the summer, with an 11-horse field confirmed for Saturday’s $1 million Grade I Pacific Classic. The mile-and-a-quarter contest will bring together an international cast, with runners from Japan and Argentina joining a strong group of American contenders.
Pacific Classic 2026 will be run at Del Mar on Saturday, August 22.
The field will be headed by Knightsbridge, who will break from post 11 with Junior Alvarado in the saddle. Forged Steel will start from post two under Edwin Gonzalez, while Finger (JPN) will take post three with Keita Tosaki aboard.
From post four, Subsanador (ARG) will be partnered by Hall of Fame jockey Mike E. Smith. Malarchuk has drawn post five and will have Umberto Rispoli in the saddle, while Original Sin will start from post six with Juan J. Hernandez.
Hit Show will leave from post seven under Florent Geroux, followed by British Isles from post eight with Diego A. Herrera. Navajo Warrior will occupy post nine and will be ridden by Micah J. Husbands, while Full Serrano (ARG) has drawn post 10 with Joel Rosario.
Completing the field is Om N Joy, who will start from the inside post with Kent J. Desormeaux. The 11 runners give the Pacific Classic a varied international line-up, with experience, emerging contenders and horses making the trip from overseas all represented.
Knightsbridge enters the race following an emphatic performance in the Grade III Monmouth Cup, while Finger brings a strong record from Japan. Forged Steel also arrives with Grade I form, adding further depth to a field that promises a demanding test over 1ÂĽ miles.
The Pacific Classic carries a $1 million purse and forms part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. The winner will earn an automatic place in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31.
The finishing order will be decided when the 11 runners head to the starting gate at Del Mar on August 22. Until then, attention will centre on how the international visitors handle the American conditions and whether the leading contenders can reproduce their best form over the 1ÂĽ-mile journey.
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