DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Mixto scored a surprise half-length victory in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Saturday and earned an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at the same track.
Ridden by Kyle Frey, Mixto ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.10. Sent off at 22-1 odds — second-longest in the field of eight — he paid $46.40, $16.40 and $8.60.
“He’s given us a few hints of being a special horse, but today he really validated the horse he is,” winning trainer Doug O’Neill said.
Mixto had the most modest record in the field. The 4-year-old colt was just 1 for 13 in his career with earnings of $182,180. Saturday’s victory was worth $600,000.
“This horse is always knocking on the door so he deserved a chance,” O’Neill said. “We’d all be lying if we thought we’d be where we are right now. The wire came up at the perfect time.”
Dr. Venkman, the even-money favorite, was fourth.
O’Neill had his other entry, Katonah, finish seventh.
Argentina-bred Full Serrano returned $9 and $7. Reincarnate, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, paid $4.40 to show.
After sunny skies most of the afternoon, a thick marine layer rolled in from the nearby Pacific Ocean shortly before post time in front of 12,484.
The Grade 1 race was missing its original favorite, Adare Manor. The acclaimed mare trained by Baffert was scratched after she had painful muscle contractions after a gallop on Thursday.
“Even though maybe it wasn’t the Yankees-Dodgers, but it was like the Orioles-Tigers,” O’Neill joked before turning serious. “To make it here you got to stay injury free and train every day. There will be some horses that come from this and do great things down the road I think.”
Owned by famed Calumet Farm, Mixto earned an automatic berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at the seaside track north of San Diego.
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