Pacific Classic to be run on final Saturday in August

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Del Mar, CA (Sports Network) - Del Mar Thoroughbred Club announced Wednesday that the track's premier event, the $1 million Pacific Classic, will be held on Saturday, August 28.

The 1 1/4-mile race will be part of a three stakes afternoon.

Won last year by Richard's Kid on Labor Day, the Pacific Classic will mark its 20th running in 2010. Joining the Classic on August 28 will be the $300,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes at seven-furlongs and the $250,000 Del Mar Mile on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course.

"We are delighted we were able to maintain our million dollar purse on the Pacific Classic, and we salute the folks at TVG for helping us to make it happen," said Del Mar executive vice president for racing and industry relations/racing secretary, Tom Robbins. "We did have to trim back some of our stakes as we adjust purses in our current environment, but all in all I'm proud of the fact that we didn't lose any of our principal races and are looking forward to another successful summer."

Del Mar's 2010 season kicks off on Wednesday, July 21 and ends on Labor Day. There will be 31 major stakes races totaling $6.275 million and 11 overnight stakes worth an additional $825,000.

The Pacific Classic has been won by some of the very best handicap horses over the last 20 years. Best Pal won the inaugural running in 1991. Tinner's Way won back to back Classics in 1994 and 1995, and Skimming duplicated that feat in 2000 and 2001. In 2006, Lava Man won the Pacific Classic along with the Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup.