Some Changes Needed in the Pacific Classic

I watched the Pacific Classic on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. I thought to myself, what tremendous exposure for thoroughbred racing. Then I took a closer look. A weak field of seven horses went to the gate with a million dollars on the line. As I recall, a field of six ran in the “Hollywood Gold Cup.” This is the equivalent of seven golfers showing up at Augusta, Ga., to play in the Master’s.

Del Mar should extend 12 invitations to the owners of the top 3- and 4-year-old horses in the country, the day after the Belmont Stakes. Along with the invitation, the track agrees to pay the owners’ expenses for shipping their horse to San Diego. If need be, reduce the purse to $750,000 or $550,000. Change the name of the race to the Pacific Classic Invitational. Had this proposal been in place, we might have had a field of horses that included Strike the Gold, Technology, Devil His Due, and Sultry Song.

What horse owner would pass up the opportunity to ship his/her horse for free and run for such a big prize? This proposal is made in anticipation that the ACRS series will not continue next season or next year.

REUBEN J. HERNANDEZ

San Diego