DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Acclamation led all the way to win the $1 million Pacific Classic by a head at Del Mar.
Acclamation held off Twirling Candy in a furious stretch drive Sunday, giving jockey Patrick Valenzuela the victory 20 years after he won the first Classic with Best Pal.
They covered 114 miles in 2:00.61, the fastest time since the synthetic Polytrack surface was installed in 2007. Acclamation paid $10.80, $5.40 and $5.
Twirling Candy, the 2-1 favorite, returned $4 and $3.40. Stately Victor finished four lengths back in third and paid $7. Game On Dude, the 3-2 second choice saddled by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and co-owned by retired Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre, was fourth.
