In no particular order...
On August 10, 1991 the first running of the Pacific Classic took place. The winner of the race, Best Pal, received a patient ride from jockey Patrick Valenzuela winning by one length over Twilight Agenda. Best Pal was owned by Golden Eagle Farm and trained by Gary Jones. Best Pal would go on to race in the 1993 and 1994 editions of the race. In 1993 he finished third and in 1994 he was second. Best Pal’s legacy here at Del Mar is still evident with a stakes race for 2 year-olds named after him.
1995 – Tinners Way Repeats (click here to watch)
It only took 5 years for the Pacific Classic to have its first repeat winner in Tinners Way. The Juddmonte Farm owned chestnut horse, trained by Bobby Frankel, never really had an anxious moment even when Soul of the Matter took the lead with a quarter mile to go. Jockey Eddie Delahoussaye was sitting chilly and when he asked Tinners Way responded, drawing off to win by four and a half lengths. The win by Frankel also marked his fourth straight win in the Pacific Classic. Tinners Way returned in the 1996 edition, but was facing some stiff competition…
2006 – Lava Man’s California Triple
Fresh off of his victory in the Hollywood Gold Cup, Lava Man came to Del Mar and dominated the 2006 version of the Classic. By winning he became the first horse to win the Santa Anita Handicap, the Hollywood Gold Cup, and the Pacific Classic all in the same calendar year. In a way it’s the Southern California Triple Crown for older horses. Lava Man also competed in the 2005 running, finished a gutsy third, and in the 2007 edition, finishing sixth. No matter how he finished in the 2007 race, racing in Southern California in 2006 will be remembered as the year of Lava Man.
1996 – Cigar goes for 17 (click here to watch)
Cigar had won 16 races in a row, winning races at 9 different tracks, and in two different countries. His 16 race winning streak was tied with the great Citation and he was coming to Del Mar to break that. Cigar would face five others, including the winner of the previous two Tinners Way, and two horses trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella. Mandella sent Siphon to the lead and Cigar went with him through a blistering pace. Cigar shook away from Siphon, but could offer no resistence to the other Mandella trainee Dare And Go. Dare And Go drew off to win by three and a half over Cigar. It was another seven lengths back to Siphon.
There were four horses in the race, but the race was over when entries were taken. In perhaps one of the most impressive runnings of the Pacific Classic, Candy Ride was much the best. Candy Ride hooked up with Medaglia d’Oro entering the stretch and when finally asked, he responded to win going away. The horse he had just run away from was no slouch – Medaglia d’Oro finished with 8 wins out of 17 starts with earnings over $5,000,000. With her win aboard Candy Ride jockey Julie Krone became the first woman to win a million dollar race. It was especially sweet for owners Sid and Jenny Craig, long time supporters of racing at Del Mar.
