Arabian Knight © Benoit Photo

Pacific Classic winner Arabian Knight has been named the Horse of the Meet for the 2023 summer season at Del Mar. Gold Phoenix was second in the voting followed by Anisette.

Choosing this year’s Horse of the Meet was not quite as easy for our panel of experts. Last year, Flightline rolled in and crushed the G1 Pacific Classic, winning by a record 19 ½ lengths, making him an obvious choice for the voters.

Fast forward one year later and it wasn’t quite as clear cut. Do you go with the Pacific Classic winner or a horse that won two grade II races at the meet or a filly that put in two eye-catching performances of her own.

In the end, winning the Pacific Classic was enough to lift Arabian Knight to the top honor. The good looking 3-year-old from the Bob Baffert barn made the biggest impression with his gutsy wire-to-wire victory over Geaux Rocket Ride. The Eddie Read and Del Mar Handicap winner Gold Phoenix and San Clemente and Del Mar Oaks winner Anisette also received votes.

Other award winners include The Chosen Vron as top sprinter. The Cal-bred son of Vronsky won a thrilling edition of the G1 Bing Crosby and is being pointed to the Breeders’ Cup.

Gold Phoenix won Top Grass Horse of the Meet and Top Older Horse.

Adare Manor, the impressive winner of the G1 Clement Hirsch, was voted top Older Filly/Mare. Arabian Knight also was named Top 3-Year-Old, while Anisette was a unanimous choice for Top 3-Year-Old Filly.

Tamara was the unanimous pick for Top 2-Year-Old Filly, while Prince of Monaco was the choice for Top 2-Year-Old.