A look at the Pacific Classic Day Late Pick 5

Befitting its most important day of the summer meet, Del Mar's Late Pick 5 Saturday encompasses two Grade 1s, two allowances, and an open maiden for juveniles with several promising sorts. Here are thoughts on the sequence.

Race 7 -- N2X Allowance

Though he perhaps could use more distance than this, there's no doubting #7 GATO DEL ORO's relative class with fine efforts here last summer against the likes of Battle of Midway and Giant Expectations. The last time #2 ADENS DREAM ran on dirt, he settled for third behind the Grade 3-class Switzerland. Placed in an impossible position last time against the best turf sprinters on the circuit, he could sneakily contend here on his return to the main track in just his third start for Sadler.

Race 8 -- Del Mar Oaks (G1)

#4 OLLIE'S CANDY was saddled with a terrible post in the San Clemente (G2) yet almost managed to win coming from well off the pace for the first time. Summertime Oaks (G2) heroine figures to benefit from the additional furlong. #5 FATALE BERE ran evenly in the Belmont Oaks (G1), finishing sixth against a tougher field. A solid fifth in the Breeders' Cup here last fall, she's a threat with her Providencia (G3) form. #7 COLONIA made a positive impression in her U.S. debut rallying from 10 lengths back to win the Hatoof at Arlington going away. Obviously likes the firmer ground found in this country, and East Coast invaders have done particularly well in this race winning five of the past seven renewals.

Race 9 -- Maiden

#7 ISTANBUL outran his huge odds against the highly-regarded Roadster first out, while #8 DUELING also turned in a positive debut for barn doing very well with juveniles this meet. Among the first-time starters, #5 TAOS is worth a look. By Tapit, he's out of  Grade 3-winning dam that has already reared debut winners Innovative Idea (a future Grade 3 winner herself) and Via Strata.

Race 10 -- Pacific Classic (G1)

#5 ACCELERATE is clearly the horse to beat by any measurable criteria, but #3 PRIME ATTRACTION is interesting at a price. The son of Unbridled's Song is perfect over this main track including a win in the Native Diver (G3) last November, and recent comeback in the Eddie Read (G2) was a game performance as he came up just a bit short.