Beholder is early 5-2 favorite for Pacific Classic

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) Two-time Eclipse Award champion Beholder is the early 5-2 favorite for the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar, where she will try to become the first female to win the Grade 1 race.

Hall of Famer Gary Stevens will ride Beholder in the 1 1/4-mile race Saturday at the seaside track north of San Diego.

Beholder drew post position nine in the 10-horse field entered Wednesday. She is trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, who also will saddle 9-2 second choice Catch a Flight.

Four other females have run in the Pacific Classic, with none finishing higher than Paseana's fifth place in 1992.