Pacific Classic to Fall Later in Summer on Sept. 3
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Tiago Pereira celebrates a victory from Tripoli in the 2021 Pacific Classic at Del Mar
The TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar is scheduled toward the end of the track's summer season on Sept. 3, Del Mar announced in an email to patrons Feb. 23.
Since introduced in 1991, the Pacific Classic has been run just once in September, when Richard's Kid won the race on Sept. 6, 2009. All other runnings of the 1 1/4-mile dirt race have taken place in mid-to-late August.
The email from Del Mar did not announce the Pacific Classic purse or provide any further details on the track's summer stakes program. Tickets go on sale May 13 for the track's summer season from July 22-Sept. 11, the email indicated.
The Pacific Classic has previously served as a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Its 2018 winner Accelerate later took the Classic at Churchill Downs that fall.
Other notable Pacific Classic winners include Maximum Security , California Chrome , Beholder , Shared Belief , Game On Dude , Lava Man , Pleasantly Perfect , Candy Ride , Gentlemen , Bertrando , and Best Pal.
Hronis Racing's Tripoli scored a 6-1 upset in the 2021 Pacific Classic for jockey Tiago Pereira and trainer John Sadler. He later ran fourth in the Awesome Again Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park and seventh in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.