Pacific Classic 2019 Horse Racing Betting Preview, Odds & Expert Analysis

Last Updated: November 22, 2023

Betting on the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) is a smart choice. This event for older horses is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” contest, and is the most lucrative event of the Del Mar Meet.

The winning horse is guaranteed a spot at the starting gate for the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Since the inaugural running in 1991, many champions have conquered the Pacific Classic, but only one has gone on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same year. Last year, Accelerate broke through with victories in both races.

At SafestBettingSites.com, we bring you the betting odds and favorites for this exciting race.

How To Bet On The Pacific Classic 2019 Online

Choose A Betting Site – Choose betting site for the Pacific Classic 2019 that offers horse racing; such as Bovada that is our top site for horse betting. Before depositing be sure to make sure it’s highly-rated, as well. We have a large list of reviews and recommended sportsbooks.
Make a Deposit – Deposit into the sportsbook of your choosing while taking advantage of any deposit bonuses. If possible, deposit the maximum amount to receive the most substantial bonus. Check for any promotions relating to horse racing or the Pacific Classic 2019 when signing up and depositing.
Find Horse Racing Markets – Horse racing betting markets are often separate from the sportsbooks. Find the horse racing betting markets and select Pacific Classic 2019. Check the Pacific Classic 2019 betting odds below.
Place Your Bet – Figure out what horse(s) you want to bet on and place your wager. There are a variety of bets to choose from for horse betting, so be sure to go over all possibilities before placing your bet. Be sure to look over your wager before hitting confirming the bet.
Enjoy the race! – Once you have placed on all your bets, kick back and relax and have a cocktail while you watch the show.

Favorites For Betting On At The Pacific Classic 2019

This year, ten horses, aged four to seven, will contest the 1 1/4-mile race over the main track.

Seeking the Soul and Quip, the first two finishers in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2), Pimlico Special (G3) winner Tenfold and Monmouth Cup (G3) hero War Story ship in for their first go-round over the Del Mar oval.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the betting favorites and logical longshots:

HORSE	ODDS
Draft Pick	+2000
Mongolian Groom	+2000
For The Top	+1200
Higher Power	+800
Tenfold	+800
War Story	+800
Campaign	+600
Quip	+450
Pavel	+350
Seeking The Soul	+300

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#1 WAR STORY +800 (8-1)

Pros: War Story is at his best when he can set slow fractions and lull the field to sleep, or press a slow to moderate pace. He rarely wins, but can usually be counted on to hit the board.
Cons: War Story is 0-5 at 1 1/4-miles, and 0-2 at Del Mar. He’s a solid Grade 2 and Grade 3 horse taking on stronger competitors.

If War Story is allowed to use his preferred pace setting/pressing running style, which suits the pace-setting/pressing track bias, he has a shot of hitting the board. Use underneath.

#2 QUIP + 450 (9-2)

Pros: Quip has the running style to suit the track bias. He’s a tough, consistent competitor, missing the victory in the Stephen Foster by a neck to Seeking the Soul. Overall, Quip has finished out of the money only once in his nine-race career.
Cons: Distance. 1 1/8-miles may be as far as Quip wants to go. His pedigree and performance say 1 1/8-miles is at the top of his distance range. If he’s pressed on the lead, he could be backing up in the stretch.

I’m not totally convinced that Quip wants 1 1/4-miles, but it’s hard to ignore his class. Use him on top and in exotic tickets.

#3 PAVEL +350 (7-2)

Pros: Pavel was best of the rest in last year’s Pacific Classic. Since then, his record has been spotty. We last saw him finishing a distant third in the 1 1/4-mile Suburban Handicap (G2), but to be fair, he had a wide trip.
Cons: The 5-year-old Pavel has seen better days. This year, he hasn’t finished in the same zip code as the winners and has hit the board only once in four starts. Also, 1 1/4-miles isn’t his game. He has an 8-0-1-2 record at the distance.

Pavel likes Del Mar, and if he can get back to last year’s form, he’ll be tough. That’s a big “if,” and his speed figures are at the lower end of the field. I’m tempted to toss, but he does like the track. Use underneath if his odds rise.

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#4 FOR THE TOP (ARG) +1200 (12-1)

Pros:For the Top is making his third start off a layoff, and his Brisnet speed figure improved in his second start. His pace-setting/pressing style suits the track bias.
Cons:For the Top might have been a big deal in his native Argentina, but is a cut below in the U.S. Yes, he finished third in the Cougar II Handicap (G2) after tiring, but 13 lengths behind isn’t tired, it’s exhausted.

Toss.

#5 SEEKING THE SOUL +300 (3-1)

Pros: The gutsy Seeking the Soul inched past Quip to steal the Stephen Foster by a short neck. He’s finished out of the money only three times in the past two years while facing the best horses in the States.
Cons: Seeking the Soul may hit the board regularly, but has won only twice in the last two years.

Seeking the Soul isn’t facing the toughest of the Handicap Division and has been training well. He’s the class of the field and has the highest speed figures. Use him on top and in exotic tickets.

#6 HIGHER POWER +800 (8-1)

Pros: Higher Power hit the board in four of six starts this year and can sit anywhere, although he prefers to race close to the lead. Flavien Prat, Del Mar’s leading jock, picked up the mount, which is always a good sign.
Cons: Higher Power is a solid allowance horse, and may have new life on turf, as his last two races were the best of his career. He’s not in the same class as Seeking the Soul, Quip or the other graded stakes veterans.

Maybe he can clunk up for a third or fourth place with a good trip. I’m not counting on it. Pass.

#7 TENFOLD +800 (8-1)

Pros: Tenfold is a good horse in the right circumstances. He’s proven at 1 1/4-miles, which is more than many others in here. Note that he has a good/bad race cycle going and he’s coming up on a good race. “Money Mike” Smith picks up the mount.
Cons: Tenfold has been bested three times by Quip, and so far, isn’t capable of beating Grade 1 horses.

Mike Smith has two ways of riding – on or near the pace or at the back of the pack. This suits Tenfold’s running style. Although he’s a one-paced grinder, and even at his best, Tenfold’s speed figures are way below the rest, Smith might get him moving early. Use Underneath.

#8 CAMPAIGN +600 (6-1)

Pros: Campaign can run all day over any surface. A stone closer, he has triple-digit late-pace speed figures in every start. He won the Cougar II Handicap (G3) last out at Del Mar.
Cons: Since February, Campaign has settled into a good/bad race cycle. He won his last start. Can he end the series here?

Campaign Can be counted on to come running at the end, but like Tenfold, is a one-paced grinder. The difference between the two is that Campaign usually gets there. Live longshot. Use in the win and underneath spots.

#9 MONGOLIAN GROOM +2000 (20-1)

Pros: Mongolian Groom is the race’s horse for course. He’s hit the board in two of three starts at Del Mar. After adding blinkers, he closed to miss by a length in the San Diego Handicap (G2), and beat out Draft Pick by 1 1/4-lengths. He’s been in the money in one of two starts at 1 1/4-miles.
Cons: Mongolian Groom has picked up a check only three times this year. His good efforts are followed by off the board finishes.

Mongolian Groom had a lifetime top Brisnet speed figure of 103 in his last start. He’s a mid-pack sort of horse, so all he must do is improve by a position or two to hit the board at long odds. He likes the track and is worth a look as a longshot. Use underneath.

#10 DRAFT PICK +2000 (20-1)

Pros: Draft Pick is the field’s “Mr. Consistency.” He’s been out of the money only three times since 2017.
Cons: Draft Pick is a cut below the best. Dipping his hooves into Grade 2 company resulted in a disappointing finish behind the consistently bad Mongolian Groom.

He can’t win, but has the right running style to finish in the lower exotics. Draft Pick has never raced at 1 1/4-miles, but his pedigree says that it’s within his scope. Use underneath.

Pacific Stakes General Information

When is the Pacific Stakes Race?

The post time for the Pacific Classic is set for 6:30 p.m. PT Saturday.

Where is the Pacific Stakes Race Held?

The race is held at Del Mar Racetrack in San Diego, California.

What Type of Racetrack is Del Mar?

Del Mar is a dirt racetrack and is 1 1/4 m (Dirt). The main track will be fast and the turf firm, as no rain is in the forecast.

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