Calumet Farm’s Kentucky-bred Mixto forged to the front in deep stretch to take down top prize in the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Saturday, Aug. 31. The win earned Mixto a berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), which will be run Nov. 2 at the seaside oval.
Ridden by Kyle Frey, Mixto pressed pacesetter Full Serrano (ARG) from the outside to the far turn in the 1 ¼-mile fixture. He continued in pursuit until the final furlong when he drew alongside a tiring Full Serrano. Mixto dug in at the sixteenth pole and overtook Full Serrano, edging clear late for a half-length victory. In winning just the second race of his career, Mixto covered the distance in 2:02.10 for trainer Doug O’Neill.
“We thought the five (Katonah) probably had the best chance of the two (stable charges) but as the race unfolded, Kyle had Mixto in the perfect spot and he ran lights out,” said O’Neill. “He gave us a few hints of being a special horse but today he really validated the horse he is. He’s run in a lot of different places and he’s always been surrounding them. And today it just unfolded perfectly and Kyle rode a perfect race.”
Bred in Kentucky by Farfellow Farms, Mixto is a son of Good Magic out of the Concerto mare Musical Mystery. Now a winner in two of 14 lifetime starts, Mixto has banked $782,180. In addition to his Pacific Classic win, Mixto finished second in last year’s San Antonio Stakes (G2) and was third in this year’s San Pasqual Stakes (G3), both at Santa Anita. Mixto was a $140,000 of the 2022 OBS Spring Sale.