Del Mar: Maiden winner Mixto shocks at 22-1 in Pacific Classic

Mixto, winner of only a maiden race in 13 previous starts, forged to the front in deep stretch under jockey Kyle Frey to deliver a stunning triumph in the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic on Saturday at Del Mar.

Sent to the post at 22-1, the second longest shot in the field of eight 3-year-olds and up, Mixto stalked pacesetting Full Serrano from shortly after the start. He then gamely responded to urging to find the lead in the final sixteenth of a mile and win by a half-length for owner Calumet Farm, trainer Doug O’Neill and Frey.

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“The original plan was for me to go to the front,” Frey said. “But in the paddock I asked Doug if somebody goes crazy in there, are you OK with me taking a hold? He said, ‘Sure.’ So he was OK with plan A and plan B. (Mixto) came running for me. So sweet.”

“As the race unfolded Kyle had Mixto in the perfect spot, and he just ran lights out,” O’Neill said. “He gave us a few hints of being a special horse, but today he really validated the horse he is. When you look at his PPs, he’s run in a lot of different places, and he’s always been surrounding them, and today it just unfolded perfectly, and Kyle Frey just rode a perfect race.”

Full Serrano, ridden by jockey Reylu Gutiérrez through fractions of 23.42, 46.95, 1:11.62 and 1:36.29, held on gamely to place second. He was a half-length in front of third-place Reincarnate. Even-money favorite Dr. Venkman was a non-threatening fourth another two lengths back.

Eight of the nine entrants finished the race. Adare Manor, the 5-year-old mare who undoubtedly would have been the favorite, was scratched by trainer Bob Baffert after he said she “tied up” after a Thursday gallop.

Mixto paid $46.40, $16.40 and $8.60; Full Serrano $9.00 and $7.00; and Reincarnate $4.40. Mixto earned $600,000 to add to his previous bankroll of $182,180.

A 4-year-old chestnut colt, Mixto accomplished the 1 1/4 miles on the fast main track in 2:02.10. He got his first win, a maiden event, on seventh asking last fall at Del Mar. He was stakes-placed in four subsequent races, including last out in the Pleasanton Mile on July 2 at the Alameda County Fair meet.

For Mixto, a Kentucky-bred son of Good Magic, the Pacific Classic was an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic over the same course and distance Nov. 2.

For Frey, 32, it was the highlight of his nearly 14 years as a professional jockey.

“This is the biggest day of racing in my career,” he said. “No doubt.”