Pacific Classic Stakes

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series > Pacific Classic Stakes

Pacific Classic Stakes Race Facts

  • Location: Del Mar Racetrack, Del Mar, CA
  • Inaugural Race: 1991
  • Distance: 1 14 miles (10 furlongs)
  • Track Type: Left-Handed, Dirt
  • Age Qualifications: Three-year-olds and up
  • 2022 Purse: $1,000,000
  • 2022 Race Date: Saturday, September 3rd

2022 Pacific Classic Stakes Race Results

POSTHORSEJOCKEY / TRAINERWIN / PLACE / SHOW
5FlightlineFlavien Prat / John W. Sadler$2.60 / $2.10 / $2.10
2Country GrammerJohn R. Velazquez / Bob Baffert$2.60 / $2.20
3Royal Ship (BRZ)Mike E. Smith / Richard E. Mandella$2.60
4Express TrainVictor Espinoza / John A. Shirreffs
1Extra HopeTyler Baze / Richard E. Mandella
6Stilleto BoyJuan J. Hernandez / Ed Moger, Jr.

Exotic Payoffs:

  • $1.00 Exacta (5-2) Paid: $2.80
  • $0.50 Trifecta (5-2-3) Paid: $3.45
  • $0.10 Superfecta (5-2-3-4) Paid: $1.41

Watch the 2022 Pacific Classic Stakes

Pacific Classic Stakes Race History

The Pacific Classic Stakes is a 1 14 mile thoroughbred horse race for 3 year and older horses run at the Del Mar Racetrack in California annually. The race gives a purse of $1,000,000 and is the premier event of the season at one of the nation’s premier race meetings. It switched its main racing surface from dirt to synthetic Polytrack in 2007, perhaps leading to the victory of long shot Student Council that year, but starting in 2015 the race was reverted back to the dirt track.

Among the more notable runnings of the Pacific Classics Stakes is the 1996 edition that saw champion and hall of fame stallion Cigar attempt to surpass Triple Crown winner Citation’s record of 16 straight victories, but ultimately fall short in a jaw-dropping upset by the long-shot Dare And Go and jockey Alex Solis. While it would be one of only two Grade I wins for Dare and Go, his performance etched his name in horse racing history.

One other fantastic edition of the race was in 2003 when Hall of Fame Jockey Julie Krone become the first female rider to win a million-dollar race by riding  undefeated Candy Ride to victory in track record time of 1:59:11, a record that still stands to this day. Although injuries forced him to retire after the win, Candy Ride went on to have a very successful stud record. He producing several Grade I winners, including Champion and Horse of the Year Gun Runner.

In 2015, 4-time champion and 3-time Breeders’ Cup winner Beholder became the first female winner of the race, defeating an all-male field that included 2014 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Bayern. She won the race by an impressive 8 14 lengths and turned in the then-third fastest time.

In 2008 the Classic became a part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, the winner of the race automatically earning a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Pacific Classic Stakes Past Winners

YearWinnerJockey / TrainerDistance / Time
2022FlightlineFlavien Prat / John W. Sadler1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.28
2021TripoliTiago Josue Pereira / John W. Sadler1 1⁄4 M / 2:02.37
2020Maximum SecurityAbel Cedillo / Bob Baffert1 1⁄4 M / 2:01.24
2019Higher PowerFlavien Prat / John W. Sadler1 1⁄4 M / 2:02.43
2018AccelerateJoel Rosario / John W. Sadler1 1⁄4 M / 2:01.83
2017CollectedMartin Garcia / Bob Baffert1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.70
2016California ChromeVictor Espinoza / Art Sherman1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.13
2015ƒ BeholderGary L. Stevens / Richard E. Mandella1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.77
2014Shared BeliefMike E. Smith / Jerry Hollendorfer1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.28
2013Game On DudeMartin Garcia / Bob Baffert1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.69
2012DullahanJoel Rosario / Dale L. Romans1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.54
2011AcclamationPat Valenzuela / Donald Warren1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.61
2010Richard's KidMike E. Smith / Bob Baffert1 1⁄4 M / 2:03.27
2009Richard's KidMike E. Smith / Bob Baffert1 1⁄4 M / 2:02.39
2008Go BetweenGarrett K. Gomez / William I. Mott1 1⁄4 M / 2:01.18
2007Student CouncilRichard Migliore / Vladimir Cerin1 1⁄4 M / 2:07.29
2006Lava ManCorey Nakatani / Doug F. O'Neill1 1⁄4 M / 2:01.62
2005BorregoGarrett K. Gomez / C. Beau Greely1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.71
2004Pleasantly PerfectJerry D. Bailey / Richard E. Mandella1 1⁄4 M / 2:01.17
2003Candy Ride (ARG)Julie Krone / Ron McAnally1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.11
2002§ Came HomeMike E. Smith / J. Paco Gonzalez1 1⁄4 M / 2:01.45
2001SkimmingGarrett K. Gomez / Robert J. Frankel1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.96
2000SkimmingGarrett K. Gomez / Robert J. Frankel1 1⁄4 M / 2:01.22
1999General ChallengeDavid R. Flores / Bob Baffert1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.40
1998Free HouseChris McCarron / J. Paco Gonzalez1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.20
1997Gentlemen (ARG)Gary L. Stevens / Richard E. Mandella1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.40
1996Dare and GoAlex O. Solis / Richard E. Mandella1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.80
1995Tinners WayEddie Delahoussaye / Robert J. Frankel1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.60
1994Tinners WayEddie Delahoussaye / Robert J. Frankel1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.40
1993§ BertrandoGary L. Stevens / Robert J. Frankel1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.55
1992Missionary Ridge (GB)Kent J. Desormeaux / Robert J. Frankel1 1⁄4 M / 2:00.80
1991Best PalPat Valenzuela / Gary F. Jones1 1⁄4 M / 1:59.80