Pacific Classic Picks, Odds, and Preview (Aug 30)

One of the hottest races of the horse racing season is set for Del Mar this Saturday, as a clash of generations could have a huge say in the pecking order for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic later this year. You can find the odds and our Pacific Classic picks here.

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How To Watch

• When: Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 9:00 PM ET
• Where: Del Mar, California
• How To Watch: FanDuel TV

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Pacific Classic Odds

Horse	Moneyline Odds
Journalism	+120
Nysos	+162
Fierceness	+450
Midnight Mammoth	+2000
Tarantino	+3300
Ultimate Gamble	+3300
Indispensabelle	+5000
Lure Him In	+6600

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Recent Winners of Pacific Classic

Year	Winning Horse
2024	Mixto
2023	Arabian Knight
2022	Flightline
2021	Tripoli
2020	Maximum Security

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Race Preview

A red-hot renewal of the G1 Pacific Classic is set for Del Mar this Saturday, and cases can be made for many to follow in the footsteps of 2022 winner Flightline by winning this race before landing the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.

Journalism will get the weight-for-age allowance this weekend, as the three-year-old takes on his elders for the first time. The likeable Michael McCarthy runner has danced every dance this season, winning the G1 Preakness and G1 Haskell, and finishing second in the G1 Kentucky Derby and G1 Belmont Stakes. Yet to finish outside of the first two in his career, and is never far away.

READ More: Cook Out Southern 500 Picks, Odds, and Preview (Aug 31)

Despite the inclusion of Journalism this weekend, it could be argued that Nysos is the most fascinating runner. The Bob Baffert-trained contender always threatened to be a potential superstar, and has won four from five stakes starts. That includes a commanding success on his first start over an extended mile last time when landing the G2 San Diego Handicap. Distance is a concern, but he is bred to excel over a mile and a quarter.

Fierceness adds to the competitive nature of the race this weekend, but the Todd Pletcher runner has largely been inconsistent this term. He didn’t run to form when fifth in the G1 Whitney last time, but has already scored this term after landing the G2 Alysheba in May. If at his best, he is the most proven on these terms.

It’s likely that the remaining runners are competing for place money at the very best. An outside chance could be given to the experienced Midnight Mammoth, who has been running consistently throughout the season, despite coming up short in graded races at Santa Anita.

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Pacific Classic Picks

This is a fascinating race this weekend, and the top three in the betting all hold leading chances. However, I like the chances of Fierceness to get his career back on track after his disappointment at Saratoga last time.

The Pletcher runner was an excellent second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic over course and distance last year, and a repeat of that run should be enough on Saturday.

Free Picks:

• Fierceness