Bet on the Pacific Classic
The Grade 1 Pacific Classic is a marquee summertime event. Held where the turf meets the surf at the glamorous Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the mile and a quarter contest for three-year-olds and up has traditionally been regarded as one of the top West Coast races held the second half of the racing season. In 2007, Del Mar switched from conventional dirt to Polytack, a synthetic surface, and will be transforming back to dirt for the 2015 meet. Regardless of the surface, the Pacific Classic is one of the top races in the country.
Pacific Classic Racebooks
Horseplayers can get the most bang for their buck by utilizing an online racebook. A good racebook will offer rebates, sign-up bonuses and wagering systems that allow the horseplayer to maximize their return on investment.
| # | Site | DEPOSIT BONUS AND CASH BACK | SITE LINK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  | $250 Free Bet on Props + Head-to-Heads | BET! | |
| #2 |  | 50% up to $1,000 + $25 Risk Free Bet + 7% Rebates | BET! | |
| #3 |  | 100% Sign Up Bonus - Up to $500 | BET! |
* REMINDER! - you must be of legal age in your state or province to legally wager on thoroughbred or harness horse racing. Please bet responsibly!
Pacific Classic Betting Odds
Bovada Racebook is our top suggested site for wagering on the Pacific Classic. New players can even receive a 50% welcome bonus of up to $250 just for signing up and making a deposit. They offer numerous other promotions including up to 5% back on racebook play issued every Tuesday which includes 3% back on straight wagers and 5% back on exotics.
2016 Pacific Classic Contenders
The 2016 edition of the Pacific Classic has shaped up to be one of the most anticipated races of the summer and will feature three of the top older horses in the country – California Chrome, Dortmund and the mare, Beholder.
California Chrome, back from an impressive victory in the Dubai World Cup (G1), thrilled fans in the San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar in July with a slugfest battle with Dortmund. Those two will renew their budding rivalry as California Chrome makes a bid for his second Horse of the Year title after earning that, along with Champion Three-Year-Old, in 2014. He has drawn the rail which, for him, has never been an ideal post position as he does his best running on the outside of horses.
Dortmund, a physically-imposing four-year-old, returned off of an extended hiatus last time out and showed that he did indeed progress since he was last seen in the shadow of superstar stablemate American Pharoah as a three-year-old for trainer Bob Baffert. He was plagued with minor issues that kept him away from the races but appears to have put them behind him.
Beholder, the lone mare in the race, defeated male rivals in the Pacific Classic (G1) last year and will be trying to defend her title. She did suffer a rare defeat behind Stellar Wind last time out but has since clocked a sharp bullet workout, completing four furlongs in a sizzling :47.00. Gary Stevens, her regular rider, will be in the irons.
Here is the field for the Pacific Classic along with morning line odds.
- California Chrome, 8-5
- Hoppertunity, 8-1
- War Story, 30-1
- Hard Aces, 15-1
- Win the Space, 15-1
- Imperative, 20-1
- Beholder, 3-1
- Dortmund, 5-2
- Dalmore, 20-1
Pacific Classic History and Facts
Since the first running of the Pacific Classic in 1991, the race has gained a reputation as being one of the premier older horse contests in the country. It has been dominated over the years by top Californian horses such as Best Pal, Free House, Lava Man and Game On Dude. Three horses, Tinner’s Way, Skimming and Richard’s Kid have won back to back editions of the race as Game on Dude will attempt to do this year. If Game on Dude wins again, trainer Bob Baffert will be one closer to catching legendary Bobby Frankel’s record of six wins in the race.