2.30 Pacific Classic Stakes (Grade 1) 1m 2f

There are two Grade 1s on the Del Mar card and the feature and most interesting is the Pacific Classic late tonight.

The favourite is the Bill Mott-trained Knightsbridge, winner last time of the Grade 3 Monmouth Cup Stakes on July 18th, when he won in a 10-and-a-quarter-length romp, over nine furlongs.

He is still one of the exciting older horses in the US but needs to show he can dominate at Grade 1 level and over this longer distance.

Knightsbridge has also won the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes by 11 and a quarter lengths in February to cap a four-race win streak from late 2025.

His two Grade 1 outings consisted of a well beaten sixth over seven furlongs in the Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes at Churchill Downs in May, and a better effort over a mile in a high quality Grade 1 Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap when second beaten four lengths by Nysos with Journalism in third.

The intriguing runner is Finger, a Japanese-bred son of Gun Runner for trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka and winner of the Tokyo Derby on dirt over around 10 furlongs.

He begins his US campaign and as the only three-year-old in the field, gets 6lbs from his older rivals. He has never been worse than second in eight starts but impossible to expect how he will fare under veteran jockey Keita Tosaki.

The six-year-old Hit Show, (Brad Cox/Wathnan Racing) cannot be discounted on his best form, going back to winning the Dubai World Cup last season. He sets a fair standard and his last time out Suburban Stakes second place was a decent run over this trip.

The Saffie Joseph-trained five-year-old Navajo Warrior is on a four-race winning streak and steps up to Grade 1 level.

British Isles (Richard Baltas) won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap in March, and Forged Steel (Saffie Joseph) won the Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes in May, leading from start to finish, though both have disappointed since.

SELECTION: KNIGHTSBRIDGE

Next best: Hit Show

Del Mar Oaks

In the Del Mar Oaks, Joseph O’Brien’s Royal Ascot Sandringham Stakes winner Green Carrera, in the Rancho Temescal/Farfellow Farm/Chivalry ownership, bids for a first Grade 1 win.

The favourite is Fozzy Stack’s former charge Kensington Lane, now trained by Phil D’Amato, following her win in July in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Stakes at Saratoga.

Brendan Walsh’s Irish-bred Sioux Nation filly Raiding Party, the mount of Ben Curtis, has won two of her four starts and was a decent third in the Grade 2 San Clemente Handicap

Trainer Michael McCarthy’s Irish-bred daughter of Ghaiyyath, Victorious Dream, is one of the outsiders but has won her last two starts.

SELECTION: KENSINGTON LANE

Next best: Raiding Party

Alabama Stakes

At Saratoga, the three-year-old fillies have another Grade 1 in the Alabama Stakes Presented By Keeneland Sales over 10 furlongs.

The Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks and Acorn Stakes winner Counting Stars, from the Mark Casse barn, is the short-priced favourite bidding for a rare Grade 1 hat-trick.

Saratoga has earned the nickname “Graveyard of Champions” though and the main concern is that the filly needs to stretch out a furlong further. Mark Casse also has another shot with Measure.

Second favourite is My Gun’s Loaded who comes off two wins but has had only three racecourse outings for Chad Brown. The daughter of Gun Runner broke her maiden at Saratoga on June 6th and followed up with an allowance win last month.

SELECTION: COUNTING STARS

Next best: Measure