First Look: Pacific Classic anchors 8 stakes at 3 tracks

Key Points:

• The 2026 Pacific Classic at Del Mar features 11 starters, including favorite Knightsbridge, who is stretching out to 1 1/4 miles for the first time; the field includes notable horses like Forged Steel, Hit Show, and filly Om N Joy, the only female entrant since no filly has won since 2015.
• Other major races on Saturday include the Del Mar Oaks (G1) for 3-year-old fillies on turf, highlighted by Kensington Lane making her American debut, and the Del Mar Mile (G2) featuring El Potente returning from illness.
• The Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga showcases Counting Stars, who recently reversed a Kentucky Oaks loss to win the Coaching Club American Oaks, while the Ballston Spa (G2) features Segesta, a consistent top performer on turf.
• At Woodbine, the Seaway Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares on synthetic surface highlights Creed's Gold, a multiple graded stakes winner aiming to repeat her Hendrie Stakes victory.
• On Sunday, the Del Mar Derby (G2) on turf includes front-runner Proletariat, who recently won the Oceanside Handicap impressively and is a leading contender in the 3-year-old division.