Del Mar's Pacific Classic Stage Set For Nysos' Historic Moment

Del Mar has long been synonymous with turf excellence and legendary performances. Since the Pacific Classic debuted in 1991, this Grade 1 showdown has evolved into racing’s most defining mile-and-a-quarter test, carrying a $1 million purse and attracting elite competitors who transform their victory into immortal status within the sport’s storied annals.

The resort track’s summer marquee event has witnessed champions like Flightline, California Chrome, and Beholder etch their legacies into the venue’s hallowed grounds. This August 30, another name could join that distinguished roster: Nysos, a Bob Baffert-trained son of Nyquist who represents the trainer’s latest attempt to dominate Del Mar’s prestige race—a feat Baffert has accomplished seven times already.

Building Toward Del Mar Glory

Nysos enters the Pacific Classic conversation as a horse of considerable intrigue. The four-year-old carries just six career starts on his record, a surprisingly light résumé that masks his exceptional pedigree and performances. His first appearance in October 2023 announced his arrival with authority—a 10½-length demolition that immediately captured racing observers’ attention.

Initial success followed with three consecutive victories, combined margins totaling 26¾ lengths. However, injury sidelined this promising prospect for over a year, a setback that tested both horse and trainer’s resolve. Upon returning to competition, Nysos faced graded stakes company at Churchill Downs, finishing a neck short in the Grade 1 seven-furlong Churchill Downs Stakes on the Kentucky Derby card despite a spirited stretch rally.

Recent performances have validated Baffert’s patience and recovery protocols. Nysos captured the Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita on May 31, followed by an impressive San Diego Handicap victory at Del Mar on July 26, where he proved his versatility by stretching out to a mile and one-sixteenth and securing victory from off the pace.

The Del Mar Stage and Championship Field

The Pacific Classic presents a significantly stiffer test. The mile-and-a-quarter distance exceeds anything in Nysos’ racing experience, while the assembled field includes formidable rivals. Preakness champion Journalism and Travers Stakes winner Fierceness headline an opponent list that promises competitive theater.

Del Mar’s track surface demands particular attention. The main dirt track’s mile-and-a-quarter configuration has proven unpredictable for even seasoned competitors, making this race as much about tactical acumen as raw ability. Flavien Prat, who has piloted Nysos on four previous occasions, carries the assignment and brings experience navigating Del Mar’s nuances.

For Baffert, this represents another opportunity to add to his Pacific Classic legacy while providing his charge the grandest stage to cement his credentials among the sport’s elite. The race also functions as an automatic qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Classic through the “Win and You’re In” series, elevating stakes beyond simple track honors. Del Mar waits to inscribe another name in its racing history.