Saturday’s Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar drew a large and competitive field vying for the winner’s share from a $1 million purse and an automatic berth to the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Oct.
The next three weeks on the horse racing calendar promise to be among the most exciting of 2026, starting Saturday, Aug. 22 when the 36th edition of the Pacific Classic Stakes will be run at Del Mar.
California’s signature summer race, the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes Saturday at Del Mar, drew a competitive and large field of horses ages 3 and older vying for a fees-paid berth to the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Oct.
There was no shortage of superlatives tossed around before, during, and after the 1998 edition of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and for good reason.
“Best field I’ve ever seen,” Seth Hancock, president of Claiborne Farm on co-owner of one of the 10 Classic runners (Arch), told BloodHorse before the race. “You put up the money and you are going to get the best of the best.”
