On Saturday, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club hosts its signature race of the summer, the $1 million Pacific Classic. This 1 ¼-mile, Grade 1 event is a "Win and You're In" race, as the winner receives an all-expense-paid ticket and guaranteed spot in the gate for the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 2. Last year, Accelerate became the first horse to win the Pacific Classic and go on to take the Breeders' Cup Classic [in the same year](https://www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/2018-accelerate-caps-brilliant-season-breeders-cup-classic-score). Most thought Catalina Cruiser would show up and dominate this year's race, but trainer John Sadler has opted to keep the horse at shorter distances through the remainder of 2019. That leaves a competitive field of 10 horses, led by the winner of the Stephen Foster Handicap, Seeking the Soul. In that race on June 15 at Churchill, Seeking the Soul ran down Quip in deep stretch to prevail by a neck. The two face off again in the 29th running of the Pacific Classic with eight others looking for a piece of the million-dollar prize. Post time for the Pacific Classic is 8:30 p.m. CT, and the race will be televised live on TVG. ## Field for 2019 Pacific Classic: Post positions, odds, jockeys, trainers __1) WAR STORY__ Morning-line odds: 8/1 Jockey: Tiago Pereira Trainer: Jorge Navarro This old pro is good at earning paychecks. He comes into this race off a July 20, Grade 3 win at Monmouth and seems in solid shape. He ran seventh in the 2016 Pacific Classic against California Chrome and a credible fourth in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic against Gun Runner. Back class and good recent form make him a major player Saturday. __2) QUIP__ Morning-line odds: 9/2 Jockey: Florent Geroux Trainer: Rodolphe Brisset This talented runner has to deal with Seeking the Soul again after losing the Stephen Foster by a neck in their last encounter. He's been off the board only twice in nine starts. Distance is a legitimate concern if backing this fellow, but he's tough and well spotted here. Contender. __3) PAVEL__ Morning-line odds: 7/2 Jockey: Mario Gutierrez Trainer: Doug O'Neill Five-year-old ran second in last year's Pacific Classic and won't have to deal with Accelerate this time. He has competed in the Breeders' Cup Classic, ran in Japan and Dubai and has proven his toughness. But he hasn't won since taking the 2018 Stephen Foster, is only 3-for-17 in his career and faces some tough competition here. Mixed signals, but I'm leaning against him hitting the top positions. __4) FOR THE TOP__ Morning-line odds: 12/1 Jockey: Martin Garcia Trainer: Bob Baffert Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won this race five times, but this horse has been outfinished in both his U.S. starts this year since coming from Argentina and hasn't won since Nov. 2018. Not seeing it today. __5) SEEKING THE SOUL__ Morning-line odds: 3/1 Jockey: John Velazquez Trainer: Dallas Stewart Comes into this contest after [winning the Stephen Foster](https://www.horseracingnation.com/race/2019_Stephen_Foster_Handicap), where he prevailed over Quip by a neck. This $3.3 million earner is the listed morning-line favorite, but today's 1 ¼-mile distance is surely a concern. He's 0-for-2 in races over 1 ⅛ miles, but that might not matter as he seems faster than these. Top contender. __6) HIGHER POWER__ Morning-line odds: 8/1 Jockey: Flavien Prat Trainer: John Sadler Raced on the grass in is last two, winning an optional claiming race at Santa Anita and running a good second in the Wicker Stakes. He seems a full notch below quite a few horses here but could get a piece with his best effort. __7) TENFOLD__ Morning-line odds: 8/1 Jockey: Mike Smith Trainer: Steve Asmussen This horse is a real "in and outer." He is capable of producing a good effort or a total clunker. He has had some noteworthy efforts, including beating Vino Rosso and Flameaway in the 2018 Jim Dandy, and he finished three-quarters of a length behind Justify in last year's Preakness. This well-bred colt also sports some top connections, but I'll have to pass on him today. __8) CAMPAIGN__ Morning-line odds: 6/1 Jockey: Rafael Bejarano Trainer: John Sadler Trainer John Sadler has a much better shot with this runner than his other entry, Higher Power, in this race. This fellow is a proven winner at long-distance routes, winning three times at a mile-and-a-half, as well as 1 5/16 miles at Kentucky Downs. His ability to handle a route, the fact he's won half his races (5-for-10) and good recent form makes him a player today. __9) MONGOLIAN GROOM__ Morning-line odds: 20/1 Jockey: Abel Cedillo Trainer: Enebish Ganbat Came up only a length short of catching highly regarded Catalina Cruiser in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar on July 20. He will be passing horses late and can be tough in the stretch. He should outrun his odds and can grab a slice if things fall his way, but he's iffy at best. __10) DRAFT PICK__ Morning-line odds: 20/1 Jockey: Joe Talamo Trainer: Peter Eurton Ran a decent third in the San Diego Handicap, finishing only 2 ¼ lengths behind Catalina Cruiser. He's never been worse than fourth in 11 outings and has hit the board in his last six races, but I'll be passing on him Saturday. ## Pacific Classic picks No. 5 SEEKING THE SOUL, 3/1. Should be up in time No. 1 WAR STORY, 8/1. Will be tough in the lane No. 8 CAMPAIGN, 6/1. Route specialist can shine here No. 2 QUIP, 7/2. Distance is the question No. 6 HIGHER POWER, 8/1. Best of the rest __Bookmark us__: [Coverage of key horse races](https://www.betchicago.com/horse-racing-odds)