Bodog Beat

With the win at the $1 million Pacific Classic, Richard's Kid has earned his way to the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 7th. (AP Images)

Sunday's $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar paid off big time for anyone who took a chance on 24-1 long shot Richard's Kid.

Trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Arnold Zetcher, the 4-year-old thoroughbred appeared to be enjoying the synthetic surface as he was making a strong surge from 10th to first in the final quarter-mile to finish ahead of Einstein by a neck. (If you missed it, check out ESPN's video of Richard's Kid win at the Pacific Classic.)

"He just seemed to get more and more confidence," said the winning rider and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. "Just when he switched to his right lead, he really kicked it in."

Smith was Baffert's first pick to ride Richard's Kid; mostly because Smith was open but being a Hall of Fame rider helped some, too.

"I just asked him to give me a Hall of Fame ride," Baffert added. "And he did."

Rail Trip came in 3/4 of a length behind to finish in third place, Parading took fourth, while Colonel John, who many thought would win this race, finished fifth. (Richard's Kid returned $50.80, $22.20 and $12.40. Einstein paid $6.40 and $4.80, and Rail Trip paid $3.80 to show.) Richard's Kid completed 1 1/4 miles on Polytrack in 2:02.39. The victory was his sixth in 19 starts.

"After the Cougar II, he sort of came to life," trainer Baffert said. "I've always felt that if a horse is in the zone, you take a shot."

The win earns Richard's Kid a berth in the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic being held at Santa Anita.

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