Masochistic wins $200,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) Masochistic led all the way to win the $200,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes by 3 3/4 lengths Saturday at Del Mar, earning an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Masochistic ran seven furlongs in 1:20.31, just missing the track record of 1:20 set by Solar Launch in the 1990 Real Good Deal Stakes. The winner paid $2.40 at 1-5 odds.

The victory guaranteed Masochistic a spot in the $1 million BC Dirt Mile in November at Santa Anita. However, trainer Ron Ellis said the 6-year-old gelding would be pointed toward the $1.5 million BC Sprint instead.

Vyjack finished second, while Indexical was another 7 1/2 lengths back in third. There was no place or show wagering because of the three-horse field. Outside Nashville and Cautious Giant were withdrawn.

The victory, worth $120,000, increased Masochistic's career earnings to $772,550, with eight wins in 13 starts.