Superb Ratings Del Mar’s oldest and most prestigious race, the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1), has drawn a deep field of 11 for its 36th edition. Among those facing the gate this Saturday is Wathnan Racing’s eight-time graded/group stakes winner, Hit Show. The 6-year-old son of Candy Ride (ARG)–Actress enters the 1 ¼-mile main track tilt with a 1-1-1 record from four starts this season, headlined by a Mineshaft (G3) triumph on February 14 at Fair Grounds. The 2025 Dubai World Cup (Gr. 1) champion has earned north of $9.5 million across 27 lifetime starts (12-3-2). Trained by Brad Cox, Hit Show opens at 6-1 on the morning line. The Pacific Classic awards the winner an automatic spot in October’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland. Make it Four Anthony Fanticola’s Motorious (GB) chases a fourth straight $200,000 Green Flash Handicap (G2T) title – and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) appearance – this Saturday at Del Mar. The 8-year-old gelding has made an annual tradition out of the 5-furlong turf sprint, first prevailing by 1 ¾ lengths in the 2023 running. What Motorious has yet to do, however, is translate his Green Flash success into a Breeders’ Cup victory. The Phil D’Amato trainee produced a runner-up finish in 2024 but landed in fifth in 2023 and 2025. A recent addition to the lifetime millionaires club, Motorious paces the early betting at 5-2. Settling in Nicely Kensington Lane made waves in her first go around on United States soil, capturing July’s Belmont Oaks (G1T) by 1 ¾ lengths at 23-1. On Saturday, the sophomore Starspangledbanner (AUS) filly will try to remain perfect away from home in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1T). Expectations are much higher for the Phil D’Amato charge this time around, who is set to go off as the narrow 3-1 choice. Owned by Agave Racing Stable, Medallion Racing, and Evan Trommer, Kensington Line sports a 3-2-0 line from 10 career starts ($411,281). Age Old Question Before the 146th running of one of North America’s oldest stakes races, the $600,000 Alabama (G1), one question stands out: Who might upset 1-2 favourite Counting Stars? According to oddsmakers, Douglas Scharbauer filly My Gun’s Loaded (3-1) is best positioned among the cast of five foes. The lightly raced Gun Runner chestnut will only be making her fourth career start this Saturday, but after showing greenness in her professional debut last season, has rebounded with consecutive victories. Trained by Chad Brown, My Gun’s Loaded dazzled last time out in a three-length victory over one mile at Saratoga. She will stretch out to 1 ¼ miles for the Alabama. Try Me Again After a dominant showing in last month’s Oceanside Handicap, Proletariat returns to the scene of his success this Sunday for the $300,000 Del Mar Derby (G2T). The 3-year-old Jeff Mullins trainee will reunite with several familiar foes, including Secured Freedom, Bust Out, Jordi Bear (IRE), Charlie’s Curlin, and Unrivaled Time, all of whom were no match for Proletariat in the Oceanside. Eager to build off that dynamic 5 ¾-length triumph, Proletariat will occupy post one with Kyle Frey in the irons. Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures own the son of Raging Bull (FR)–Kodiak West (IRE). Share This:Share
