Journalism, Fierceness, Nysos... And a Pacific Classic Set to Make the Racing World Talk

Next Saturday at Del Mar Brings One of the Most Anticipated Races, With a Breeders’ Cup Classic Berth on the Line

Journalism Set for His First Test Against Older Horses / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).- The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will take center stage Saturday when it stages one of the most anticipated renewals of the GI Pacific Classic, worth $1 million and offering a “Win and You’re In” berth into the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic, scheduled for Nov. 1 at the seaside oval. A field of eight has been assembled, but all eyes will be on the three names dominating the American racing conversation: Nysos (Nyquist), Journalism (Curlin), and Fierceness (City of Light).

The expectations surrounding this edition reach well beyond Del Mar, as the outcome could reshape the official Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings. The current leader remains the outstanding Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the Godolphin and Bill Mott trainee who has captured three Grade Is this season, including the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. With 329 votes, he holds a 27-point edge over reigning Classic winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), fresh off his GI Whitney Stakes triumph. Rounding out the top three sits Mindframe (Constitution) with 255 votes following his GI Stephen Foster score.

But sitting fourth with 234 votes is Journalism, the GI Santa Anita Derby, GI Preakness Stakes, and most recently GI Haskell Invitational hero. The Michael McCarthy trainee, to be partnered by Umberto Rispoli, has proven time and again under the brightest spotlights, and connections have opted to roll the dice against older rivals with hopes of securing an early Classic berth.

Favored on the morning line at 8-5 is Nysos, owned by Baoma Corp. and conditioned by Bob Baffert, who comes in off a sharp score in the GII San Diego H., his fifth win from six starts. Flavien Prat will again take the reins.

The third corner of the star-studded triangle is Fierceness (3-1), the 2023 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, who counted the GI Florida Derby and GI Travers S. among his victories last year. The Todd Pletcher trainee, to be ridden by John Velazquez, was second to Sierra Leone in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic over this same course and distance.

Drawn for 1 1/4 miles as the 10th of 11 races on the card (post time 6 p.m. PT), the marquee trio landed in intriguing spots: Fierceness on the rail (post 1), Nysos in post 4, and Journalism in post 6, setting up a tactical chess match from the break.

Rounding out the lineup are Midnight Mammoth (Midnight Lute), Ultimate Gamble (Medaglia d’Oro), Indispensable (Constitution), Lure Him In (Khozan), and Tarantino (Pioneerof the Nile).

With eight starters, three headline acts, $1 million on the line, and a guaranteed ticket to the sport’s most coveted stage, the Pacific Classic has all the makings of a race that could redefine the Breeders’ Cup road map.