$1-Million Pacific Classic Tops 2026 Del Mar Stakes Schedule

[Wandering Eyes]

The 35th edition of the Aug. 22 $1-million GI Pacific Classic tops 37 stakes slated for this summer's 87th season at Del Mar.

The “Classic” will headline a card featuring the GI Del Mar Oaks, GII Del Mar Mile and the GII Green Flash Handicap.

Del Mar opens its summer season on Friday, July 17, featuring 32 days of racing through Monday, Sept. 7, Labor Day.

This year's stakes schedule will offer $7,775,000 in purses, including five overnight stakes each carrying a $100,000 prize. Additionally, there have been two purses magnified on the regular schedule–the Green Flash boosted from $150,000 to $200,000, and the traditional opening day Ceasars Sportsbook Oceanside Handicap increased from $100,000 to $150,000.

The seaside track will present six Grade I stakes over the course of its eight weeks of racing. The first of those is the $400,000 Bing Crosby on July 25 and followed by the $400,000 Clement L. Hirsch on Aug. 1

In addition to the Pacific Classic and the Del Mar Oaks, the track will offer the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 5 and the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 6. Those last two seven-furlong tests are the championship races for 2-year-olds at the meet.

Del Mar track will offer 10 Grade II stakes and five Grade III events during its summer stand. Also, 18 of the added-money races will be conducted on the Jimmy Durante Turf Course and eight of the stakes have been designated for California-bred runners.

Other changes of note on the lineup consist of four 2-year-old races lengthened by half a furlong. Both the CTBA Stakes (Aug. 2) and the Graduation Stakes (Aug. 7) will stretch out to 5 1/2 furlongs, while the Generous Portion Stakes (Sept. 4) and the I'm Smokin Stakes (Sept. 7) now go at six panels.

Six Del Mar stakes have been designated Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” races: Bing Crosby (Sprint), Clement L. Hirsch (Distaff), Green Flash (Turf Sprint), Pacific Classic (Classic), Del Mar Handicap (Turf) and Pat O'Brien (Dirt Mile).

“This stakes schedule showcases the very best of Del Mar racing, highlighted by the $1-Million Pacific Classic and six Grade I events, and offers a wide range of opportunities for our horsemen and horsewomen,” said Del Mar president Josh Rubinstein.

“Del Mar's 2026 stakes schedule reflects a continued commitment to quality, competitiveness and opportunity,” said Gary Fenton, chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. “From the $1-Million Pacific Classic to a deep supporting program, this is the kind of structure that benefits owners, horsemen and the long-term health of California racing.”

For the complete stakes schedule, click here.

First post daily at Del Mar will be 2 p.m. On closing weekend, Saturday, Sunday and Monday cards will go off at 1:30 p.m.

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