Among War Emblem's likely rivals in the Pacific Classic are Milwaukee Brew and Sky Jack, winners of the Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup, respectively, plus sophomore star Came Home, the Santa Anita Derby and Swaps Stakes winner. Other probable starters are Grey Memo, victor in the San Diego Handicap; Momentum, Hollywood Gold Cup runner-up; Arbiter, Bonus Pack, Oh Take, Pleasantly Perfect and Speedy Pick.
War Emblem will have his final preparation for next Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic when he breezes over the Del Mar main track Tuesday morning at approximately 9 a.m. Trainer Bob Baffert, who earlier in the week said there was an outside chance The Thoroughbred Corp. runner would instead ship to Saratoga for the Travers Stakes on Aug. 24, confirmed on Sunday, after meeting with stable manager Richard Mulhall that the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Haskell Invitational winner will remain at Del Mar for the Pacific Classic.The son of Our Emblem, who will become the first 3-year-old to compete at Del Mar during the same year as his Derby success, will be taking on older horses for the first time in the mile and one-quarter event. According to conditions, older horses carry 124 pounds, while three-year-olds pack seven pounds less.