Rich Pacific Classic Highlights Del Mar Stakes Schedule

With the 33rd edition of its premier event, the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1), leading a parade of 39 offerings in 31 days, Del Mar is set to present a record-tying stakes schedule worth $8,275,000 for the 84th season of Thoroughbred sport at its iconic seaside oval beginning July 21.

The grade 1 "Classic" at a mile and one-quarter will top a sparkling five-graded-stakes afternoon Sept. 2 that includes the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap (G2T) and the $300,000 Del Mar Mile (G2T).

All told, that track has slated six grade 1 races over the course of an eight-week summer stand, as well as six Breeders' Cup "Win and 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 Park.

The shore track again will feature eight black-type events strictly for California-breds carrying total purses of $1,150,000. Further, it has 19 stakes on its popular Jimmy Durante Turf Course, along with five overnight stakes, each with a value of $100,000.

"We've got a stakes schedule that mirrors our record program of last year," noted 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."

As it has for decades, the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes for 3-year-olds on the grass will kick off the proceedings on opening day. And closing day—Sept. 10—once more will be headlined by the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) at seven furlongs, the championship event for 2-year-olds at the session.

The track's six grade 1 affairs are led by the Pacific Classic, of course, but also include the $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) for older horses at six furlongs July 29; the $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares 3 and up at a mile and one-sixteenth Aug. 5; the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) for 3-year-old fillies at nine furlongs on the turf Aug. 19; the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1) for 2-year-old fillies at seven furlongs Sept. 9, and the Del Mar Futurity.

Del Mar's six "Win and You're In" races are the Bing Crosby (providing guaranteed entrance to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint, G1); the Clement L. Hirsch ($2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff, G1); $250,000, Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at seven furlongs Aug. 26 ($1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, G1); Pacific Classic ($6 million Breeders' Cup Classic, G1); Del Mar Handicap at 11 furlongs on turf ($4 million Breeders' Cup Turf, G1T); and $150,000 Green Flash Handicap (G3T) at five furlongs on turf Sept. 2 ($1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, G1T).

The stakes schedule features the five-stakes day Sept. 2, as noted, but also has a triple header (including the Debutante and the $250,000 John C. Mabee Stakes, G2T) Sept. 9 and nine other days when there will be stakes doubleheaders.

The historic track will open its season with a three-day weekend (July 21, 22, 23), then have five four-day weeks (Thursday through Sunday), a five-day week (including Labor Day Sept. 4), then finish with a Friday-through-Sunday weekend (Sept. 8, 9, 10).

The full stakes schedule can be found here.