Tipsheet: The 2021 Pacific Classic Stakes

A fantastic field of nine will vie in Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic S. (G1) at Del Mar. The summer feature at the seaside venue attracted an excellent bunch for the “Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In” event, in what appears to be one of the better renditions of the race in recent years.

 Pacific Classic Picks

• #4 Royal Ship
• #2 Tizamagician
• #3 Dr Post
• #5 Express Train

Pacific Classic Wagers 

• $20 win and place 4
• $3 exacta key box 4 with 2,3,5
• $1 trifecta 4 with 2,3,5 with all

Pacific Classic Contenders

#1 TRIPOLI -- Sadler trainee has shown vast improvement since moving to the dirt two back and rates as a serious contender in the deep field. The consistent Kitten’s Joy colt was a sharp second in the San Diego H. (G2) most recently, and the four-year-old is well drawn on the fence for his initial 1 1/4-mile endeavor. The chestnut will stalk the early action on the fence.

#2 TIZAMAGICIAN -- First or two from the Mandella shedrow is a dual winner on the course and looms large with a move forward on Saturday. The dark bay son of Tiznow bagged the Cougar II S. (G3) on the oval last time out, and he will be a major pace player beneath Flavien Prat.

#3 DR POST -- East Coast invader from the Pletcher barn is two-for-three in 2021 and comes in off of a nice tally at Monmouth Park in his first assignment since adding blinkers. Quality Road colt is a question mark running 10 panels against a field of this quality, but he can’t be dismissed with Rosario coming out for the voyage.

#4 ROYAL SHIP -- Top pick has elevated his game in 2021 and seems poised for a peak performance on Saturday. Mandella pupil was an even third in the San Diego H. (G2) at 1 1/16 miles in his most recent showing, and the five-year-old gelding will appreciate the added distance in the Pacific Classic. Regular rider Mike Smith stays in the silks.

#5 EXPRESS TRAIN -- Two-time Grade 2 victor dons a nifty 4-3-1-0 mark at Del Mar and is an obvious win threat for Shirreffs. The four-year-old son of Union Rags has run well in both of his previous tries at the trip, and he is training in fine fashion in advance of Saturday. Juan Hernandez will be in the stirrups.

#6 MAGIC ON TAP -- Intriguing one from the Baffert barn didn’t offer much in the San Diego last time out, but the son of Tapit is much better than he showed in that run. The gray five-year-old had performed well in his previous Del Mar endeavors, and he has been training in swift fashion as of late. The Kentucky-bred will improve with Cedillo up.

#7 INDEPENDENCE HALL -- Constitution colt has lost four in succession against fine opposition and will wear blinkers for the initial time on Saturday. Talented four-year-old is one-for-one at Del Mar in his career, and he could surprise with a top-three finish with a top performance under Florent Geroux.

#8 SHERIFF BROWN -- Curlin gelding is the outsider in the cast and will need a lifetime-best showing to challenge for a placing in this demanding spot. The Fincher pupil is in a tough spot after finishing seventh in the San Diego on the oval.

#9 CUPID’S CLAWS -- Six-year-old from the Dollase barn can run all day and put in a big effort in his first race on the oval most recently. The inconsistent gelding draws widest of all, and he will need to duplicate his latest to make an impact late in this cast. Umberto Rispoli will take the reins.