Accelerate cruised to a record 12 1/2-length victory in the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, becoming just the third horse to sweep all three of Southern California's major races for older horses in the same year.
Ridden by Joel Rosario, Accelerate ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.83 at the seaside track north of San Diego on Saturday. The winning margin was the largest in the race's 27-year history, bettering Game On Dude's 8 1/2-length win in 2013.
Trained by John Sadler, Accelerate joined Lava Man in 2006 and Game On Dude in 2013 in sweeping the Santa Anita Handicap, Gold Cup and Pacific Classic.
Accelerate paid $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10 as the 2-5 favorite in the eight-horse field.
Pavel returned $4.20 and $3.40. Prime Attraction was another 3 3/4 lengths back in third and paid $4.20 to show.
