Pacific Classic: Journalism and Fierceness meet at Del Mar
For the first time, top 3-year-old Journalism will face older foes like Fierceness on Saturday in Del Mar’s Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic with a field of eight going 1 1/4 miles on dirt.
Journalism’s appearance is unusual in the current era of racing. He ran in all three Triple Crown races, winning the Preakness and finishing second in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont. He traveled from his West Coast base to contest the Haskell (G1), which he won. In all these stakes he ran hard with dramatic stretch runs and traffic trouble. It wouldn’t be surprising for his connections to take the extra time and train up to the Breeders’ Cup. And yet he is here, and he is one of the favorites.
Click here for Del Mar entries and results.
Fierceness ships in from Saratoga on a two-race slump, finishing fifth in the Whitney (G1) and second in the Met Mile (G1). If he can return to the brilliance of his Alysheba (G2) win in May, he will be a legitimate threat for Journalism.
Nysos had been the morning-line favorite in the Pacific Classic, but the son of Nyquist was scratched Saturday because of a hoof injury.
The other older horses in the race have their strong points as well. See the full field rundown here.
The Pacific Classic is race 10 with a post time 9:11 p.m. EDT. FanDuel TV will have on-site coverage live as part of its daily racing coverage.
Free past performances for the Pacific Classic are courtesy of Brisnet.
Here are the top lifetime speed figures for the Pacific Classic entrants.
| No. | Horse | Beyer* | TFUS* | Brisnet | HRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fierceness | 111 | 134 | 112 | 140 |
| 2 | Midnight Mammoth | 97 | 124 | 107 | 132 |
| 3 | Ultimate Gamble | 92 | 121 | 100 | 126 |
| scr | Nysos | ||||
| 5 | Indispensable | 98 | 125 | 103 | 124 |
| 6 | Journalism | 108 | 126 | 108 | 139 |
| 7 | Lure Him In | 97 | 119 | 100 | 125 |
| 8 | Tarantino | 99 | 123 | 99 | 123 |
*Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are presented courtesy of Daily Racing Form.
HRN handicappers
Head-to-head handicappers Laurie Ross and Ashley Tamulonis debate Journalism’s chances in the Pacific Classic.
In HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman recap last week’s huge Travers day card before turning attention to the Pacific Classic and Sunday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup. Get their expert takes on the contenders and plays for both races.
Before you play the Del Mar card, check out which jockeys are riding hot or cold and who offers value for your wagers.
HRN’s Ed DeRosa thinks the top Pacific Classic contenders all have question marks, but there’s a clear top choice. Find out who in his fair odds.
On the Ron Flatter Racing Pod, FanDuel TV’s Christina Blacker previews the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry in the Pacific Classic. Brook Smith, co-owner of Sierra Leone, joins the pod to talk Saratoga, Breeders’ Cup and more. Super Screener author Mike Shutty checks in from his Del Mar home base to add handicapping advice and wagering tips for the big day. Listen here.
Get your copy of the Super Screener for the road to the Breeders’ Cup, including the Pacific Classic. You’ll get stakes analysis every weekend, including top races from Kentucky Downs, Keeneland, Churchill and more.