Bodog Beat

Does Colonel John have what it takes to win the Pacific Classic? (AP Images)

The field of 12 thoroughbreds slated to face off in Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar racetrack in San Diego are pretty evenly matched. However, a strong favorite has emerged in 2008 Travers winner and recent winner of a turf race at Del Mar, Colonel John.

Running from post six, the 4-year-old has joined forces with last year's winning jockey and four-time Pacific Classic winner Garrett Gomez. Trained by Eoin Harty for WinStar Farms, Colonel John recently took the Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar in his first race of the year, and has earned more than $1.5 million in his lifetime.

"I chose the Pacific Classic because I didn't have to ship and he's shown a fondness for this racetrack down here," Eoin Harty told the media about his decision. "He's trained very, very well over the surface, and I just felt that, you know, the odds were stacked in my favor if I stay here rather than go to New York and tackling Rachel Alexandra."

Colonel John's biggest competition is Einstein, who won the Santa Anita Handicap. Other horses in contention include Rail Trip, the winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup in his last start, as well as Informed, Mast Track and Awesome Gem.

Want to get the inside scoop on who to bet on? Bodog has resident horse racing experts Steve Davidowitz and Dave Turley have broken it down to help you handicap the big day. Here are their hottest horse betting tips for the Pacific Classic. Ready to make a bet on the 19th running of the Pacific Classic? Get all your Pacific Classic odds in the Bodog Racebook today. Don’t have an account yet? Join Bodog now. It’s free.