Expert Pick of the Week: 2026 Pacific Classic

Aug 19, 2026

Knightsbridge wins the Gulfstream Park Mile at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianeses Photo)

An outstanding cast of 11 horses will travel a demanding 1 1/4 miles over the dirt at Del Mar on Saturday in the signature race of the meeting, the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1). The top-level tilt is led by morning-line choice and top pick Knightsbridge from the barn of Bill Mott. Owned and bred by global horse racing powerhouse Godolphin, the son of Nyquist has been excellent going back to his debut run in 2024 and has compiled a lifetime mark of 11-7-2-1 in advance of his first run at the seaside California venue.

The five-year-old had been competing in one-turn races prior to contesting the Monmouth Cup (G3) on July 18, and the dark bay showed that he might be a route horse after all when blitzing his foes in a 10-length tour-de-force in New Jersey at 1 1/8 miles, the longest voyage of his career leading up to Saturday. Knightsbridge has huge speed from the gate to help overcome drawing widest of all in the feature, and his three morning workouts leading up to this event suggest he will run another big race. Junior Alvarado comes out to ride the Grade-1-placed speedster.

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Hit Show is the most underrated $9.5 million earner that I’ve ever witnessed and rates a big chance from off the pace in his local debut. Trained by Brad Cox and campaigned by Wathnan Racing, the six-year-old son of Candy Ride is a Grade 1 victor at the distance, and he had a nice prep race for Saturday when second in the Suburban (G1) in a deep field last time out. He is more of a ‘grinder’ than a push-button runner, which fits perfectly in a field with a lot of early types, and the Kentucky-bred could also improve while making his third run since returning from the desert, as well. Florent Geroux will ride.

Navajo Warrior, one of two in the cast for Saffie Joseph and also by fine sire Candy Ride, is peaking in advance of his return to Del Mar and has to be given a serious chance in this deep field. The five-year-old gelding has been an easy winner in his last three starts, and the former claimer is also a victor on the Del Mar strip, too. He is 10-for-18 in his lifetime and couldn’t be any sharper in preparation for his toughest test to date. Micah Husbands will be in the saddle.

Expert Pick

An exacta with #11 Knightsbridge on top of #7 Hit Show and #9 Navajo Warrior in the 2026 Pacific Classic is the Best Bet of the Week.