Pacific Classic Day at Del Mar
Another beautiful day at Del Mar featured their premier summer race, the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic, contested on Saturday, August 30, 2025. The seaside oval once again provided a nice ocean breeze.
Stakes-Filled Card
The day’s card included strong undercard racing alongside a full lineup of stakes. The stakes program featured the Del Mar Mile, Torrey Pines, Green Flash, Pacific Classic, and the Del Mar Handicap. The last three were all part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, offering automatic berths into this fall’s Breeders’ Cup, which will return to Del Mar for the second year in a row on October 31 and November 1.
Before the stakes action, fans witnessed an impressive maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies worth $100,000—arguably stakes quality on its own. Heaven’s Bolt, with Flavien Prat aboard for trainer Richard Baltas, took the victory.
Del Mar Mile winners circle Formidable Man
The Pacific Classic
The Pacific Classic lost some intrigue when morning-line favorite Nysos scratched the morning of the race due to a bruised hind foot. What was expected to be a three-way battle between Fierceness, Journalism, and Nysos quickly became a showdown between the East Coast invader Fierceness and the West Coast’s top 3-year-old Journalism.
At the break, all horses seemed to get away cleanly until Fierceness veered sharply left toward the rail. In most cases, that kind of move would have cost a horse the race. But Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez showed his class, quickly straightening him out and settling into fourth entering the clubhouse turn.
In a surprise, Journalism—usually forwardly placed—was last in the field of seven going into the first turn. He may have encountered some bumping after the break, leaving him several lengths behind.
The Race Unfolds
Tarantino (72-1) set the pace, followed by Midnight Mammoth (35-1). Lure Him In, the longest shot at 96-1, tracked in third. The longshots gave honest efforts, but ultimately the race belonged to the big two.
Fierceness began advancing along the rail, with Velazquez guiding him confidently into the stretch. He gained the lead inside, seemingly home free. But Journalism unleashed his trademark long stride, making a late run that briefly looked threatening. For a moment, it seemed he might reel in Fierceness.
However, Fierceness had plenty left, digging in to repel the challenge. As if to say, “Not today,” Fierceness held off Journalism by 3 ¼ lengths, stopping the clock in 2:01.00. Journalism finished second, 6 ½ lengths clear of third-place Ultimate Gamble.
Pacific Classic Day – Photo Credit: Nancy Wilkinson
Fierceness: The Champion
This victory marked Fierceness’s 7th win from 13 starts, boosting his career earnings to $5,155,320. The 4-year-old colt, bred in Kentucky, is by City of Light out of Nonna Bella (by Stay Thirsty). He races for Repole Stable and Tabor, et al., and is trained by Todd A. Pletcher.
Pacific Classic Fierceness winner circle – Photo Credit: Nancy Wilkinson
