Del Mar, CA (Sportsbooks) - Richard's Kid came from the back of the pack Saturday to successfully defend his crown in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar. The victory puts Richard's Kid automatically into this year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November.
The Usual Q.T., the 3-1 program favorite, went off as the 5-2 top pick in the evenly-matched field of 10 older horses. The defending winner was 9-2 and Hold Me Back was sent off as the 5-1 third pick.
Isle of Giant's set the pace in the 1 1/4-mile Classic. Running behind him was Temple City, Hold Me Back and The Usual Q.T. Richard's Kid and jockey Mike Smith were next to last with San Diego Handicap winner Dakota Phone bringing up the rear.
Entering the far turn, Isle of Giant's still had the lead as Temple City drew even on the outside. Richard's Kid began putting in a run around the turn for home.
At the top of the stretch, six horses were across the track. Richard's Kid, trained by Bob Baffert, surged to the lead with less than 100 yards to run.
The five-year-old registered a three-quarters length victory over Crowded House with Dakota Phone rallying for third.
Rounding out the order of finish was Battle of Hastings, The Usual Q.T., Temple City, Isle of Giant's, Hold Me Back, Unusual Suspect and Hollywood Gold Cup champ Awesome Gem.
The time for the 20th Pacific Classic was 2:03.27 on Del Mar's synthetic surface.
Owned by Zabeel Racing, Richard's Kid becomes the third horse to win the stakes in consecutive years. Tinner's Way won back-to-back Classics in 1994 and 1995, and Skimming duplicated that feat in 2000 and 2001.
The win gives Mike Smith his third Pacific Classic victory. Along with the two victories aboard Richard's Kid, the Hall of Fame jockey also won the 2002 Classic with Came Home.
The five-year-old adds $600,000 to his earnings and becomes the newest thoroughbred millionaire. Richard's Kid is the winner of eight of 26 career races for $1,566,370.
Last month he was third in the Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar and earlier in July finished behind Awesome Gem and Rail Trip in the Hollywood Gold Cup.
His only win between the two Pacific Classics was in February's San Antonio Handicap at Santa Anita. Also this year, Richard's Kid was seventh in the Dubai World Cup.
Richard's Kid paid $11.60, $5.60 and $3.80. Crowded House returned $10.60 and $6.40, and Dakota Phone paid $4.80 to show.
