The ‘Instant Classic’ series on ESPN chronicles some of the legendary games that have happened right before our eyes but Southern California racing fans have the $1 million Pacific Classic to draw from for instant and monetary memories.

Best Pal won the inaugural running of the mile and a quarter event in 1991, Tinners Way and Skimming each won back-to-back renewals of the fixture and one of the greatest claims of all time, Lava Man, took this race in 2006.

There have been milestones in this race too, as Julie Krone became the first woman to win a million-dollar race as she guided Candy Ride to victory in a track record time of 1:59.11.

Bobby Frankel has saddled more winners than anyone in this race with 6 happy endings.

Last year Go Between made amends for flopping as chalk in the Hollywood Gold Cup to come from third to last when getting up by a neck with a winning 104 Beyer for Bill Mott.

When they put up a million, the stars usually come out and this field will be fully subscribed.

Let’s look at the players alphabetically.

Asiatic Boy has run two big races in Graded company since feeling the Dubai wrath of Well Armed but he is off a layoff and this field is solid.

Awesome Gem seldom gets respect and was a dull 7th at 4-1 in last year’s Classic.

Salute Colonel John on the track. He is coming off a super 7-furlong winning prep over the strip and will be a handful.

Smart guys will be all over Einstein. He did not like the good turf course in Chicago last time, proved he can ship west as he won the Big ‘cap this year and looms the one to beat.

Global Hunter has never been better and really had little chance last time against speedball Zensational.

San Diego trifecta players, Informed, Mast Track and Song of Navarone will be back for more with the former getting the slight edge among those 3 since he has a nice stalking style.

If Laddes Poker shows up at the card table he will be a huge number and can’t see him winning while Misremembered has legit speed but will be looking at a field loaded with zip.

Would not count on Parading making the trip as he just had his head handed to him in the Gold Cup by Rail Trip, who has trained well for Ron Ellis of late, has only lost twice and should sit a super journey.

Ready’s Echo has no speed and there lies his biggest problem while Quarter Moon is a reformed claimer that would blow up the tote if he somehow ends up winning.

Richard’s Kid can get the trip but he has to come from the clouds while Tizway is still eligible for a non-winners of 3 other than affair.

Tres Borrachos gave Rail Trip a bit of a scare in the Gold Cup but doesn’t run them alike and if Unusual Suspect wins he will likely have to come from 12 or 15 back.

How might it shake out? Look for Mast Track, Misremembered, Rail Trip and Tizway to carve out the splits with Rail Trip possibly getting the best of them all as he can sit just off the lead and still perform.

As they reach the top of the lane, Informed, Colonel John, Einstein, Asiatic Boy and Tres Borrachos will be fighting for a lane to rally into as the real racing begins.

In the final strides Einstein will get out at the last moment and rally inside to get the money with Rail Trip Colonel John and Tres Borrachos battling for the minor awards.

Win, lose or draw, buy a margarita and enjoy.