Collected, masterfully rated on the lead by jockey Martin Garcia, gamely held off the strong late challenge of stablemate Arrogate, the 3-5 favorite, to win the 27th running of the Grade I $1 million Pacific Classic Saturday, Aug. 19 at Del Mar.
Collected, owned by the Speedwell Stable and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, reached the wire a half-length in front of Arrogate, who closed fast under jockey Mike Smith to narrow the gap nearing the finish. Accelerate, winner of the San Diego Handicap in which Arrogate was a mystifying fourth, was third, three and three-quarter lengths behind Arrogate, with Curlin Road fourth in the field of seven older horses. Sorry Erik was withdrawn from the original line-up.
“Arrogate, at least he tried today. He’s getting there, but I think that when I ran him in the San Diego it messed up his psyche a little bit,” Baffert said. “I don’t think I have a problem bringing him back in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But he’s got to be fresh, just like Collected came in here fresh. And Collected is a very good horse.” 
Collected, a 4-year-old son of City Zip, was scoring his fourth straight victory, including a 14-length romp in the Precisionist at Santa Anita. He was co-second choice at 3-1 with Accelerate and returned $8, $2.80 and $2.20. Arrogate, North America’s all-time leading money-winner with earnings of $17 million, paid $2.60 and $2.10, while Accelerate paid $2.20 to show.
Over-all, it was Collected’s eighth win in 11 starts and first money of $600,000 increased the horse’s bankroll to $1,260,500. He also provided Baffert with his fifth Pacific Classic victory. It was Garcia’s second score in the race.
Time for the mile and one-quarter 2:00.70.
The TVG Pacific Classic is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic which will be presented at Del Mar Saturday, Nov. 4. Thus, Collected earned a spot in that mile and one-quarter contest.