The 2023 Pacific Classic Predictions with Odds and Recommended $100 Bet

The Pacific Classic at Del Mar has a prize purse of $1 million as the highlight of five graded-stakes events on Saturday’s race card. The Pacific Classic is also a qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park on the first Saturday in November. Open to thoroughbred horses three and older, this stakes race is run 1 ¼ miles on the dirt at Del Mar.

With my top five contenders for the Pacific Classic in a field of 11 entries, there are predictions, odds and bonus picks for the Win, Place  and Show positions.

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Geaux Rocket Ride (5-2)

Finishing first in the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 22, Geaux Rocket Ride is favored in the Grade 1 Pacific Stakes this Saturday. The three-year-old colt completed the Haskell Stakes in 1:49.52 over Mage in second and Arabian Knight in third.

Geaux Rocket Ride has finished first or second in the four races this year. Trained by Richard Manella, he will be ridden by veteran jockey Mike Smith.

Percent to Win: 30%

Arabian Knight (3-1)

With his third-place finish in the Haskell Stakes, Arabian Knight was in the money in all three races he ran since early November in 2022. Bob Baffert is his trainer and Flavien Prat is his jockey at the No. 9 gate in the Pacific Classic. Sired by Uncle Mo, he had a Horse Racing Nation Speed Figure of 99 in his last race.

Arabian Knight has an HRN rating of 6.77 coming into this race, which is reflective of his 3-1 odds on the morning line.

Percent to Win: 25%

Defunded (4-1)

Also trained by Bob Baffert, the five-year-old gelding finished fourth in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 29. Defunded had finished first, second or third in his last six races before the San Diego Handicap. He also raced at Santa Anita Park and Del Mar Race Course in five graded stakes events.

Defunded has jockey Juan Hernandez on board for the Pacific Classic in gate No. 5. At 4-1 odds on the morning line, he should be among the leaders at the finishing line in this race.

Percent to Win: 15%

Slow Down Andy (8-1)

As a four-year-old colt bred in California, Slow Down Andy has roots in these West Coast horse tracks. He finished second in the San Diego Handicap and had a 103 HRN Speed Figure in that race. Since Oct 1 of 2022, Slow Down Andy has raced at San Anita Park, Keeneland Race Course, Belmont Park and Del Mar in his last four events.

Trained by Doug O’Neill, Slow Down Andy will be ridden by jockey Mario Gutierrez out of gate No. 7. He has a 6.54 rating from HRN coming into the Pacific Classic.

Percent to Win: 10%

Senor Buscador (10-1)

The winner of the San Diego Handicap (1 1/16 miles on dirt) was this Kentucky-bred five-year-old horse with a time of 1:42.54. Senor Buscador has home-track advantage at Del Mar and experience on his side. He also won at Remington Park, Lone Star Park, Churchill Downs and Sunland Park.

Senor Buscador is trained by Todd Fincher and he will be ridden by jockey Geovanni Franco out of gate No. 8 for the Pacific Classic.

Percent to Win: 20%

Bonus Pick for the Pacific Classic

$50 on Geaux Rocket Ride to Win

$25 on Arabian Knight to Place

$25 on Senor Buscador to Show