IN BRIEF

Long shot Richard’s Kid claims Pacific Classic

Long shot Richard’s Kid came from next-to-last early and passed Einstein in the final few jumps to win Del Mar’s signature $1 million Pacific Classic on Sunday.

Ridden by Mike Smith and trained by Bob Baffert — both Hall of Famers — Richard’s Kid had a strong run through the stretch to provide the third-biggest upset in the Pacific Classic’s 19-year history. Sent off at 24-1, he paid $50.80.

The Maryland-bred Richard’s Kid beat the Brazilian-bred Einstein by a neck, with 5-2 favorite Rail Trip three-quarters of a length back in third.

Baffert also won the 1999 Pacific Classic with General Challenge.

Richard’s Kid, running for the third time since Baffert took over as trainer this summer, covered the mile distance in 2 minutes, 2.39 seconds.

Also: Rainbow Derby winner Inseperable led a sweep for trainer Paul Jones with a win by a neck over top qualifier Fantastic Corona Jr. in the $624,789 All American Derby in Ruidoso Downs, N.M.

Ridden by Cody Jensen, Inseperable covered the 440-yard distance in 21.096 seconds to edge Fantastic Corona Jr., while Royal Proclamation completed Jones’ sweep.

Jones won last year’s All American Derby when Noconi defeated Heartswideopen.

Big favorite Hot Dixie Chick took command with three-sixteenths of a mile to run and won the $300,000 Spinaway Stakes for 2-year-old fillies by one length at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Hot Dixie Chick completed a huge weekend for Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke, owners of leading Horse of the Year candidate Rachel Alexandra, the 3-year-old filly who defeated older males in the Woodward Stakes on Saturday.

The victory, which follows an opening-day win in the July 29 Schuylerville Stakes, was Hot Dixie Chick’s third in four starts, all with Robby Albarado in the saddle. She ran seven furlongs in 1:22.28, earned $180,000 and paid $2.60, $2.20, $2.10. Beautician, the runner-up, paid $3.30 and $2.70, and Bickersons, third of eight, paid $5.60 to show.

MISCELLANEOUS

Brown looks for first NHRA Top Fuel victory

Antron Brown raced to the No. 1 qualifying position in Top Fuel in the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Clermont, Ind., taking the top spot for the seventh time this season with a run of 3.835 seconds at 319.22 mph.

A two-time event winner in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Brown will try to win it for the first time in Top Fuel today at O’Reilly Raceway Park when he faces rookie Spencer Massey in the opening round.

Robert Hight (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Matt Smith (Pro Stock Motorcylce) will lead their categories into the eliminations of the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.

A college pole vaulter died after missing the landing pad during practice at the University of California, San Diego’s La Jolla campus.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office said Leon Roach, 19, landed head-first on concrete during a training jump Saturday.

Roach immediately became unresponsive, according to the coroner’s report. He was pronounced brain dead at a hospital.

Zach Kupher and Will Zieghan scored two goals apiece as the UNLV men’s soccer team beat Robert Morris 7-2 in the Nike Invitational at Peter Johann Memorial Field.

The seven goals by the Rebels (2-1) marked the highest total since a 7-2 win over UC Santa Barbara in 1993.