The Pacific Classic (G1) [BC] will be run Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Del Mar as Race 6. The 1 1/4-mile dirt race for three-year-olds and upward carries a purse of $1,000.00 and is a Breeders’ Cup points race. The Pacific Classic has been won by both three-year-olds and older horses, with Frenchman taking the 2025 edition. There is no defending champion in this year’s field, but Mb Stables has a particularly strong history in the race, having trained previous winners The Windy City, High Pride in a dead heat, Apples To Oranges, Graveyard and Individuation. Mb Stables returns with two major contenders, Diametric and Extreme Jet. Velazquez J R, who rides Extreme Jet, has also won the Pacific Classic twice, aboard Greek Poet and Graveyard. This year’s field presents an interesting contrast between proven Grade I performers and improving horses attempting to establish themselves at the highest level.

#1 Maymun — Mo Mentum Farm / Curtis B

Projected Odds: 10-1

Maymun has made considerable progress this season, winning four of seven starts with two seconds and a third. After victories in claiming and allowance company, he successfully moved into stakes competition and most recently finished second in the San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar on July 18. He raced in the middle portion of that field before advancing into second, showing that he can compete against stronger company without needing to control the pace. He has extensive route experience, with four victories from 14 route starts, although today’s 1 1/4 miles and Grade I company represent a more demanding assignment than anything he has yet faced. His Del Mar preparation has been sharp, including a six-furlong work in 1:10.1 and a :58.2 five-furlong drill on August 15. Chance: A developing horse with a chance to earn a placing, but he needs another step forward to win.

#2 Diametric — Mb Stables / Santana R Jr

Projected Odds: 2-1

Diametric enters as one of the most accomplished and dependable horses in the field. He has finished in the top three in 23 of 24 career starts and is 3-2-0 from five appearances this year. His 2026 campaign includes victories in the Mineshaft (G3), Churchill Downs (G1) and True North (G3), followed by a narrow second in the Foster (G1). That Foster effort is particularly important because Diametric dropped well behind the leaders early, steadily advanced and missed by only a neck. His route record of four wins, four seconds and one third from nine starts is exceptional, although the supplied past performances do not show him racing at 1 1/4 miles. His preparation has emphasized stamina, including two one-mile works followed by consecutive 1:09.4 six-furlong drills. Chance: Major win contender. He is the most dangerous horse if the leaders begin to tire.

#3 Sick Boi — Royalty Stables / Esquivel E

Projected Odds: 8-1

Sick Boi has enjoyed a strong 2026 campaign, winning the Essex Handicap (G3), Alyshiba (G2) and Blame (G3). He has demonstrated the ability to settle behind the leaders and make up ground, including victories from several lengths off the pace. His most recent performance is the concern. In the Foster (G1), he was approximately 11 lengths behind during the early stages and could only recover to eighth. He nevertheless owns seven victories from 20 route starts, so route racing is clearly one of his strengths. His preparation since the Foster has been strong, culminating in a 1:10 six-furlong work at Del Mar on August 13, fastest of 87 at the distance. Chance: An upset possibility if he reproduces his best spring form and receives a strong pace to attack.

#4 Without Warning — TwinTowersRacing / Espinoza V

Projected Odds: 6-1

Without Warning brings something particularly valuable into this race: proven high-level form at 1 1/4 miles. He finished fourth by only half a length in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) over this Del Mar course and distance. He returned to 1 1/4 miles in the Suburban (G2) on July 4 and again finished fourth, this time beaten only one length after contesting the lead. Earlier this year he won the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) from just off the pace. His 15 route starts provide considerable experience, and his tactical versatility allows him either to sit close to the leaders or settle farther back. The concern is that he has frequently reached contention without finishing the job against top competition. Chance: Genuine contender. His proven ability at 1 1/4 miles and previous Del Mar performance make him dangerous.

#5 Classic Look — Nakamura Stables / Bridgmohan S X

Projected Odds: 7-1

Classic Look enters for Nakamura Stables following a determined victory in the Monmouth Cup (G3), where he raced fourth early, advanced into second and prevailed by a head. That was his second graded-stakes victory of the year after winning the San Pasqual (G2) in January. He is the most experienced route horse in the field, with 28 route starts and eight victories, and he has already competed at 1 1/4 miles, finishing sixth in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) in March. His principal concern is consistency at the graded level, as his two victories this season surround several races in which he was competitive without threatening for the win. His recent training is noteworthy: four consecutive extended works, including a 1:10 six-furlong work at Del Mar on August 18 that was fastest of 166. Chance: Legitimate upset candidate whose route experience, recent victory and current preparation make him a serious threat.

#6 Storm Cat — D J C Racing Stables / Pennington F

Projected Odds: 30-1

Storm Cat faces the largest class challenge in the field. He is winless in five starts this season, although he has earned a second and two thirds, primarily while competing in allowance and minor-stakes company. His recent races have been concentrated at six furlongs, and his last route appearance came in March when he finished seventh in a one-mile optional claimer. Overall, he has five route starts with one win, one second and one third, but nothing in his supplied recent form approaches the level of competition he encounters here. Moving from sprint stakes company directly into a 1 1/4-mile Grade I is a demanding assignment. Chance: Longshot who would need substantial improvement to contend for the victory.

#7 Extreme Jet — Mb Stables / Velazquez J R

Projected Odds: 9-5

Extreme Jet receives the top selection because he combines proven Grade I ability, tactical speed and demonstrated effectiveness at today’s exact distance and track. His most significant performance came in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, where he stalked from fourth, advanced into second and missed winning the 1 1/4-mile race by only a head. He has remained highly competitive this year, winning the New Orleans Classic (G2), losing the Alyshiba (G2) by a head and finishing fourth in the Foster (G1). His route record stands at six wins, three seconds and three thirds from 16 starts. Unlike a deep closer, Extreme Jet can position himself close to the pace without requiring the lead, an important tactical advantage in this field. His Del Mar preparation has also been strong, with repeated six-furlong works around 1:10 and a one-mile drill. Chance: The horse to beat. His proven 1 1/4-mile Del Mar performance separates him narrowly from Diametric.

#8 Knowledge Is Good — Mo Mentum Farm / Hernandez R M

Projected Odds: 20-1

Knowledge Is Good is intriguing because he has already demonstrated that 1 1/4 miles is within his range. At Woodbine on May 22, he went immediately to the front, remained there throughout and won a 1 1/4-mile allowance by four lengths. He also won a 1 1/8-mile allowance at Tampa in front-running fashion. His route record includes three victories from 12 starts, but the major question is class. His victories have come against allowance competition, and he most recently finished fifth in another allowance at Woodbine. He now jumps directly into a Grade I against several established graded-stakes performers. Nevertheless, his natural early speed could have a substantial influence on how the Pacific Classic develops. Chance: Significant pace factor with proven distance ability, but the class rise makes winning difficult.

Projected Pace Structure

Knowledge Is Good is the most obvious candidate for the early lead. His two recent route victories came when he controlled the race from the front, including his four-length victory at today’s 1 1/4-mile distance. Extreme Jet should be able to establish position immediately behind or alongside him, while Without Warning also possesses enough tactical speed to remain close. Classic Look and Maymun figure to occupy the next flight.

The most important tactical horse is Extreme Jet. Velazquez does not need to send him to the front; he can allow Knowledge Is Good to establish the pace while keeping Extreme Jet within striking distance. That should give him first opportunity when the field begins to attack the leader.

Diametric is the major danger from farther back. His Foster performance showed that he can surrender substantial early position and still make a powerful late challenge against Grade I competition. Sick Boi is another candidate to come from behind, although his Foster suggests that allowing him to become too detached from the leaders can leave him with too much ground to recover.

A moderate pace favors Extreme Jet. A substantially faster or contested pace increases the chances of Diametric and, to a lesser degree, Sick Boi.

Final Prediction

1st — #7 Extreme Jet — 9-5
2nd — #2 Diametric — 2-1
3rd — #4 Without Warning — 6-1
4th — #5 Classic Look — 7-1

Projected Winner: #7 Extreme Jet — 9-5

Extreme Jet gets the narrow preference because the strongest direct evidence for this particular assignment belongs to him: he has already raced 1 1/4 miles over the Del Mar dirt against Grade I competition and missed winning by only a head. He combines that proven distance-and-track performance with tactical versatility and strong recent preparation. Diametric may be the most formidable opponent on overall current form, but he has not demonstrated 1 1/4-mile ability in the past performances provided. Without Warning has the necessary distance experience to threaten, while Classic Look is the most appealing higher-odds challenger based on his extensive route background, recent graded victory and exceptionally strong series of long workouts.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES