Knightsbridge gets stamina test in Pacific Classic

The retirements this summer of Nysos and Journalism have left a vacancy in the older male division in Southern California, a situation the East Coast-based Knightsbridge will look to exploit on Saturday in the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1).

The Pacific Classic, over 1 1/4 miles, is the highlight of the Del Mar summer season and is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Classic (G1) at Keeneland in October.

Knightsbridge wasn’t exactly on a path to the Breeders’ Cup Classic until last month, when he bolted up to win the nine-furlong Monmouth Cup (G3) by more than 10 lengths in his first start beyond a mile. Making it more special was his Brisnet Speed rating of 119, one of the highest recorded this year.

Ten furlongs will be new territory for Knightsbridge, who will break widest in post 11 but with plenty of time to get in a good position before the first turn.  

Navajo Warrior is on an upward trajectory with back-to-back wins in the Pimlico Special (G3) and Cornhusker H. (G3) with record triple-digit Brisnet speed ratings, while stablemate Forged Steel successfully invaded Southern California in May with a 9 1/2-length romp in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2). He was well beaten in the Suburban (G2), though, after failing to make the lead.

Former Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show exits a distant second-place finish in the Suburban, while 2024 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) hero Full Serrano has done some of his best work at Del Mar with a 3-for-5 mark. He was a close second in the Pacific Classic two years ago.

An interesting presence in the Pacific Classic is the three-year-old Finger, a son of Gun Runner who has been the dominant member of his division on dirt in Japan this year.

A stellar renewal of the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1) over nine furlongs on the turf is led by Belmont Oaks (G1) heroine Kensington Lane and the Joseph O’Brien-trained import Green Carrera, who landed a key renewal of the Sandringham H. at Royal Ascot in June.

Also in the lineup is Tam Tam, a dominating winner of the Tepin S. at Churchill Downs in late June.

A seemingly wide-open renewal of the $300,000 Del Mar Mile (G2) on the turf includes local mainstays Cabo Spirit, Freedom’s Not Free, Almendares, King of Gosford, and El Potente. French classic-placed Detain enters off a second-level allowance win, while Brazilian import Sinsel was a Group 1 winner in his native land.

The stakes action kicks off Saturday with $200,000 Green Flash H. (G2), a five-furlong Breeders’ Cup Challenge prep for the Turf Sprint (G1). Motorious has won the last three editions of the Green Flash, while Man O Rose and Sumter also merit serious consideration.