The 35th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar features Bob Baffert-trained Nysos as the 8-5 favorite. Nysos, a lightly raced 4-year-old Nyquist colt with four graded-stakes wins in California, including a recent San Diego Handicap (G2) victory, seeks his first Grade 1 win after a narrow loss in the Churchill Downs (G1). Flavien Prat will ride Nysos from post 4 in the 1 1/4-mile race, which serves as a key prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Challenging Nysos are notable contenders Journalism and Fierceness. Journalism, a three-time Grade 1 winner by Curlin, makes his first start against older horses after major wins including the Preakness and Haskell, and will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli. Fierceness, a 4-year-old City of Light colt trained by Todd Pletcher, carries 3-1 odds after a mixed season highlighted by a Travers win and a second-place finish in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, with John Velázquez aboard. The field also includes several other entrants with varied odds, making the Pacific Classic a highly anticipated race on Saturday evening.