Journalism tackles Nysos, Fierceness in Pacific Classic

In the wake of Sovereignty's powerhouse victory in last week's Travers (G1), the window of opportunity for Journalism to wrest away the three-year-old title is rapidly closing. The only path for Journalism, arguably, is to pair up wins against older rivals in the Pacific Classic (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), the latter Sovereignty's next port of call.

The Pacific Classic, which offers a $1 million purse and is contested over 1 1/4 miles, highlights Del Mar's summer meet on Saturday and awards the winner an automatic bid to the course-and-distance Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 1.

In most years, Journalism's body of work would have him in the pole position for championship honors. The son of Curlin has four graded stakes wins this year, including top-level triumphs in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Preakness (G1), and Haskell (G1).

But the presence of Sovereignty, who beat Journalism decisively in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1), has Journalism on the proverbial back foot. Transcending the division, which Sovereignty will not be given the opportunity to do before the Breeders' Cup, is Journalism's chance to make a statement.

It will be no easy task. Unlike last year's modest renewal, this Pacific Classic has come up loaded.

The actual morning line favorite for the Pacific Classic is Nysos, the once-beaten four-year-old who will attempt to stretch his speed beyond 1 1/16 miles for the first time. Aside from a neck loss to Mindframe in the Churchill Downs (G1) on May 3, in which Nysos was making his first start in 15 months, Nysos has dominated his rivals, most recently in the San Diego H. (G2).

Fierceness, a champion at two and near-champion again last year, ships in from New York after a disappointing fifth-place effort in the Whitney (G1), which followed a track-record score in the Alysheba (G2) and a second in the Metropolitan H. (G1). Fierceness does bring experience over the Del Mar strip, having finished an admirable second in the Breeders' Cup Classic last year after pressing an extremely hot pace.

"We like the timing from the Pacific Classic to the Breeders’ Cup Classic more than we like waiting for the Woodward (G2) or the Lukas Classic (G2) on the 27th of September," trainer Todd Pletcher explained.

Five others were entered in the Pacific Classic, all of whom would be a major surprise to defeat all of the above at weight-for-age.

A potentially outstanding preview of the Breeders' Cup Classic, with significant championship implications for the three-year-old and older dirt male divisions, neatly sums up this edition of the Pacific Classic.