The Pacific Classic is the richest race of every summer at Del Mar — the richest all year in California, in fact, outside of when the Breeders’ Cup is held in the state.

Some years, the field for the 1 1/4-mile race lives up to its $1 million purse. In 2016, for example, California Chrome, the Horse of the Year two years prior when he won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, defeated the mare Beholder, who had romped to victory in the 2015 Classic en route to her third of four Eclipse Awards.

Other years, though, the field can be lacking. In 2024, for example, only one horse in the field had a prior Grade 1 win.

There’s no argument in which category Saturday’s Pacific Classic belongs.

While five of the eight runners entered Tuesday have combined for exactly one graded-stakes victory, the

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