Study Guide: 2025 Pacific Classic

Aug 29, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Journalism preparing for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media / Credit to Renee Torbit)

A couple of Kentucky Derby (G1) alumni are among eight horses entered in Saturday’s $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, a “Win and You’re In” qualifier to the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

Journalism, runner-up in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, and Fierceness, 15th in the 2024 edition, are two of the three favorites to win the Pacific Classic, which is held over the same 1 1/4-mile distance as the Derby.

Let’s check out the full field:

Fierceness

Fierceness wins the Travers S. at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Chelsea Durand)

Start(s): 12
Wins: 6
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Derrick Smith, Repole Stable, Michael B. Tabor, and Mrs. John Magnier
Breeder: Repole Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (112) when finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $4,555,320

Sire: City of Light
Dam: Nonna Bella
Color: Bay

The beaten favorite from the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), Fierceness is brilliant on his best day, as he demonstrated when trouncing a deep field by 6 1/4 lengths in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). But Fierceness can be inconsistent, and he’ll need to bounce back from a fifth-place finish in the Whitney (G1) if he’s going to challenge for top honors in the Pacific Classic.

Fierceness is back in style! He kicks off his 4-year-old campaign with a win in the G2 Alysheba. 🏇

He is trained by Todd Pletcher with @ljlmvel in the irons! 🤩

🎥TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/V9unb4Aijx

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) May 2, 2025

Midnight Mammoth

Midnight Mammoth and jockey Aramando Ayuso win the Cougar II Stakes, at Del Mar. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 36
Wins: 8
Place: 5
Show: 7

Owner: Jeffrey Sengara
Breeder: Pedro Gonzalez and Jorge Herrera
Trainer: Craig Dollase
Jockey: Armando Ayuso

Top Speed Rating: (107) when finishing second in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $418,980

Sire: Midnight Lute
Dam: Taker Home
Color: Dark bay/brown

Midnight Mammoth dominated the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II (G3) last year and was last seen running second in the 1 1/4-mile Hollywood Gold Cup (G2), so we know he has plenty of stamina. But he finished a distant fourth in his lone previous try at the Grade 1 level, so stepping back up in class is an obstacle to overcome.

Ultimate Gamble

Ultimate Gamble wins at Del Mar. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 9
Wins: 3
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal
Breeder: Machmer Hall, Carrie Brogden, and Craig Brogden
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura

Top Speed Rating: (100) when finishing second in an $80,000 allowance optional claimer at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $155,840

Sire: Medaglia d’Oro
Dam: Eltimaas
Color: Dark bay/brown

Ultimate Gamble is on the ascent, and he earned a career-best 100 Brisnet Speed rating when finishing second by a neck in a one-mile $80,000 allowance optional claimer at Del Mar last month. But he’ll need to run even faster to beat the favorites in the Pacific Classic. On the bright side, Ultimate Gamble’s pedigree contains stamina, and he may well improve while stretching out over 1 1/4 miles.

Nysos

Nysos wins the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita Park (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 6
Wins: 5
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Baoma Corp
Breeder: Susie Atkins
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (106) when winning the Triple Bend (G3) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $598,500

Sire: Nyquist
Dam: Zetta Z
Color: Bay

The slight favorite to win the Pacific Classic is Nysos, who is a neck away from being undefeated in six starts. An easy 2 3/4-length win in the 1 1/16-mile San Diego H. (G2) at Del Mar indicates Nysos is in strong form, but he’s stretching out significantly in distance for the Pacific Classic, and it remains to be seen whether he can reproduce his brilliant form as a sprinter/miler over 1 1/4 miles.

Indispensable

Indispensable wins at Del Mar. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Start(s): 14
Wins: 2
Place: 4
Show: 5

Owner: By Talla Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Edwin Barker
Breeder: Nursery Place, Donaldson, and Broadbent
Trainer: John Sadler
Jockey: Paco Lopez

Top Speed Rating: (103) when finishing third in the Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park.
Total Earnings: $282,820

Sire: Constitution
Dam: High Performer
Color: Bay

Indispensable visited the winner’s circle following a $40,000 allowance optional claimer at Del Mar last month, but stepping up to the Grade 1 level is a question mark. Indispensable finished third in the 2024 Oklahoma Derby (G3), his only previous appearance in a graded stakes.

Journalism

Journalism wins the 2025 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. (Photo by Horsephotos.com)

Start(s): 9
Wins: 6
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier–Lessee, Michael B. Tabor–Lessee, and Derrick Smith–Lessee
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

Top Speed Rating: (108) when winning the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $3,798,880

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Mopotism
Color: Bay

The three-year-old Journalism has enjoyed a strong season. He’s won the Preakness (G1), Haskell (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and San Felipe (G2), in addition to finishing second to leading sophomore Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont (G1). With six straight Brisnet Speed ratings in the 102-108 range under his belt, Journalism has a strong chance to become the fourth three-year-old since 2012 to defeat older rivals in the Pacific Classic.

Lure Him In

Lure Him In wins the Sunshine Classic. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)

Start(s): 53
Wins: 11
Place: 10
Show: 9

Owner: C2 Racing Stable, Double B Racing Stables, Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch, and Mach 1 Racing
Breeder: Stonehedge
Trainer: Sam Wilensky
Jockey: Edwin Gonzalez

Top Speed Rating: (100) when finishing third in an $80,000 allowance optional claimer at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $682,353

Sire: Khozan
Dam: Alluring Lady
Color: Bay

Lure Him In came home a neck behind Ultimate Gamble when third in the above-mentioned $80,000 allowance optional claimer at Del Mar. A veteran of 53 starts, Lure Him In has improved nicely in recent starts, but he’ll need another step forward to challenge in the Pacific Classic.

Tarantino

Start(s): 31
Wins: 4
Place: 8
Show: 6

Owner: David A. Bernsen
Breeder: Fred W. Hertrich III and John D. Fielding
Trainer: Peter Eurton
Jockey: Edwin Maldonado

Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Native Diver (G3) at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $552,420

Sire: Pioneerof the Nile
Dam: Without Delay
Color: Bay

Tarantino is a capable graded stakes performer. Since last fall, he’s recorded top-three finishes in five Grade 2 and Grade 3 stakes, most recently coming home third to Nysos in the San Diego. But his career-best 99 Brisnet Speed rating looks a little light against the Pacific Classic field, suggesting a spot in the top four might be the ceiling for his potential.