Del Mar's signature event — the Grade I, $1 million Pacific Classic — drew nine runners looking to earn their way into the Breeders' Cup Classic. Saturday's 1 1/4-mile event was supposed to feature star distaffer Adare Manor taking a shot at the boys, but she was announced as scratch after a subpar final workout.
This race should nevertheless go a long way toward shaping the Breeders' Cup odds, so don't miss my free betting picks for this August 31 event.
Pacific Classic odds, prediction and best bet
- Race: Del Mar Race 10
- Post time: 9:13 p.m. ET
- TV: FanDuel TV
| Post | Horse | Track odds |  |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Il Miracolo | 5-1 | +500 | +500 |
| 2 | There Goes Harvard | 15-1 | +1,500 | +1,500 |
| 3 | Dr. Venkman | 5-2 | +250 | +250 |
| 4 | Reincarnate | 8-1 | +800 | +800 |
| 5 | Katonah | 8-1 | +800 | +800 |
| 6 | Full Serrano | 12-1 | +1,200 | +1,200 |
| 7 | SCR | SCR | SCR | |
| 8 | None Above the Law | 20-1 | +2,000 | +2,000 |
| 9 | Mixto | 20-1 | +2,000 | +2,000 |
Odds as of 8-30-2024.
No. 5 Katonah (8-1) ran second to No. 3 Dr. Venkman (5-2) in the Grade II San Diego Handicap, the local prep for the Pacific Classic, but I believe he can turn the tables and post an upset on Saturday.
Katonah was just coming into his own as a four-year-old with a highly-rated allowance/optional claiming win at Santa Anita and a victory in the Pleasanton Mile before hitting the shelf for just over a year — the second such layoff of his career. Doug O'Neill aggressively spotted Katonah off the bench in San Diego, but this son of Klimt ran his heart out to miss the win by a length.
I think Katonah could be sitting on a lifetime-best effort as O'Neill continues to build his stamina for this 10-furlong test with some long AM drills. I also believe he could get a perfect trip under Tiago Pereira just behind the speeds in the Pacific Classic.
Dr. Venkman stretched out successfully from sprinting to take the San Diego in his fifth career try. The lightly-raced four-year-old is 3-for-3 lifetime at Del Mar and retains Antonio Fresu. The son of Ghostzapper has also been building stamina with his morning workouts for Mark Glatt.
Best bet: $8 exacta box 3/5, $4 win 5 ($20)
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Road to the Breeders’ Cup Classic
| Race | Date | Track | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Derby | May 4 | Churchill Downs | Mystik Dan |
| Preakness Stakes | May 18 | Pimlico | Seize the Grey |
| Belmont Stakes | June 8 | Saratoga | Dornoch |
| Metropolitan Handicap | June 8 | Saratoga | National Treasure |
| Stephen Foster Stakes* | June 29 | Churchill Downs | Kingsbarns |
| Haskell Stakes* | July 20 | Monmouth Park | Dornoch |
| Whitney Stakes* | August 3 | Saratoga | Arthur’s Ride |
| Juddmonte International Stakes (turf)* | August 21 | York (UK) | City of Troy |
| Travers Stakes | August 24 | Saratoga | Fierceness |
| Pacific Classic* | August 31 | Del Mar | TBD |
| Jockey Club Gold Cup* | September 1 | Saratoga | TBD |
| Pennsylvania Derby | September 21 | Parx | TBD |
| California Crown* | September 28 | Santa Anita Park | TBD |
| Lukas Classic | September 28 | Churchill Downs | TBD |
*denotes "Win & You're In" race for Breeders' Cup Classic
