Notebook: Defending champions are early favorites in Pacific Classic undercard

DEL MAR — Defending champions are the morning-line favorites in three of the four stakes races – two Grade II and two Grade IIIs — on Saturday’s undercard to the $1 million Pacific Classic.

Gold Phoenix is the early 5-2 favorite to win the Grade II Del Mar Handicap for a third straight year. Kyle Frey will be aboard the 6-year-old gelding in the 1 3/8-mile turf run for older horses. Gold Phoenix has won three of five previous Del Mar starts, but ran seventh on July 28 while defending his win in the 2023 Eddie Read Stakes.