Pacific Classic goes to Richard's Kid

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Del Mar, CA (Sports Network) - Longshot Richard's Kid, with Mike Smith aboard, came thundering down the stretch to capture Sunday's 19th running of the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar. The victory in the 1 1/4 mile race gives Richard's Kid automatic entry into this year's $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on November 7.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Richard's Kid was a 24-1 longshot in the 12 horse field. Rail Trip and Colonel John were both 5-2 and Einstein was the third choice at 4-1.

Setting the pace in the Pacific Classic was Tres Borrachos followed by Mast Track, Misremembered and Einstein. Richard's Kid was about 10-lengths off the pace as the field hit the far turn.

Around the turn Smith had his mount on the outside beginning his charge to the front. Richard's Kid was five-wide on the final turn as the field entered the stretch.

Einstein had the lead at the top of the stretch on the inside as Richard's Kid came storming down the middle of the track. Richard's Kid caught Einstein at the wire to win by a neck over the seven-year-old.

Rail Trip, winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup, finished second with Parading fourth and Colonel John in fifth. Completing the order of finish was Song of Navarone, Awesome Gem, Global Hunter, Informed, Misremembered, Tres Borrachos and Mast Track. Misremembered is also trained by Baffert.

The time for the Pacific Classic was 2:02.39 on Del Mar's all-weather track.

Richard's Kid is owned by Arnold Zetcher and adds $600,000 to previous winnings of $159,370. The four-year-old colt has won six of 19 career starts with two stakes victories.

The colt was coming off a second-place finish in the Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar and was seventh on the turf in the Eddie Read Stakes early in the summer meeting. His only other stakes win came at Laurel Park in February with the John Campbell Handicap.

Mike Smith will go after another $1 million race on Monday when he rides Kelly Leak in the Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park. Kelly Leak won the Sunland Derby in March when Mine That Bird finished fourth.

Richard's Kid returned $50.80, $22.20 and $12.40. Einstein paid $6.40 and $4.80, and Rail Trip paid $3.80 to show.