The Pacific Classic

The million dollar 10 furlong Pacific Classic for 3↑ at Del Mar this afternoon

The race drew a field of eight, including Journalism, Nysos and Fierceness. This is a strong group with Breeders Cup implications. Let’s get right to it.

These handicapping notes may be viewed for free via this link. Then, show your appreciation and buy me a coffee!

The distance is no problem. Fierceness loves to go long, and keeps on going. Ran 28 days ago and worked twice in the interim, and the 8/23 breeze is what one wants to see. Beat Sierra Leone and Thorpedo Anna in ’24 Travers. Does not require a hot pace and subsequent meltdown, which is the oft quoted, probably overstated, strike against Sierra Leone, who runs in Sunday’s Jockey Club Gold Cup. He’s not as consistent as Journalism and Nysos, though has as much or more talent. That’s really the question: Is this the race where Fierceness puts on a top performance? Such is extremely rare, yet if all three run their lifetime best this would be an epic race becoming part of racing lore, and Fierceness has the edge.