Pacific Classic’s Potential Field Grows To 10

The list of potential runners for Del Mar's 33rd running of the G1 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic Sept. 2 has grown to 10, so far.

Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) won last month's GII San Diego H., the local prep for the Pacific Classic. Todd Fincher is not afraid to put the 5-year-old homebred owned by Joey Peacock in after he rewarded the New Mexico-based trainer with the second Grade II stakes win of his career. Senor Buscador worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 (6/38) at Del Mar Thursday morning.

“It's a Grade I and that's kind of important for a stallion prospect,” said Fincher. “With the right circumstances, he can definitely run with them.”

Another potential starter is Tripoli (Kitten's Joy), winner of the Pacific Classic in 2021. The nearly $1-million earner is looking to get back on track after finishing fifth for trainer John Sadler in the San Diego H.

Skinner (Curlin) is the third 3-year-old to jump on board for the Classic. The John Shirreffs trainee was last seen running second in the Los Alamitos Derby July 8 after finishing third in the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby back in April. The bay colt's most recent work came last Saturday when he went seven furlongs in 1:26.40 at Del Mar (1/2).

“We have another work to go,” Shirreffs says. “Then we'll decide if we're going to go.”

One other addition is Call Me Fast (Dialed In) from the Michael Puhich barn. The dark bay gelding joins Defunded (Dialed In), Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo), Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), Order and Law (Violence), Slow Down Andy (Nyquist) and Stilleto Boy (Shackleford), who are already potential starters.

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Pacific Classic Heads 2023 Del Mar Stakes Schedule

The $1,000,000 GI FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic tops 39 stakes over 31 days, a record-tying stakes schedule worth $8,275,000 for Del Mar's 84th season, beginning Friday, July 21.

The Pacific Classic Day card, set for Sept. 2, will feature five graded stakes, including the GII Del Mar H. and GII Del Mar Mile.

Del Mar has slated six Grade I races over the course of an eight-week summer stand, as well as six Breeders' Cup “Win & You're In” tests that each guarantee a spot in the starting gate for their major counterparts during the two-day, $28 million end-of-season championship spectacular that will be held this year at Santa Anita.

The “Win & You're In” races are the GI Bing Crosby ($2-million Breeders' Cup Sprint); GI Clement L. Hirsch ($2-million Breeders' Cup Distaff); GII Pat O'Brien S. at seven furlongs Aug. 26 ($1-million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile); GI FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic ($6-million Breeders' Cup Classic); GII Del Mar H. at 11 furlongs on turf ($4-million Breeders' Cup Turf); GIII Green Flash H. at five furlongs on turf Sept. 2 ($1-million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint).

“We've got a stakes schedule that mirrors our record program of last year,” said Del Mar vice president and racing secretary David Jerkens. “We made a couple of very minor tweaks, but otherwise it's the same offerings at the same value that our horsemen and women found especially pleasing last year.”

The seaside oval will kick off its season with a three-day weekend (July 21-23), then have five four-day weeks (Thursday through Sunday), a five-day week (including Labor Day Monday, Sept. 4), then finish with a Friday through Sunday weekend (Sept. 8-10).

For Del Mar's complete 2023 stakes schedule, click here.

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