M's Racing's Finger (Jpn) (Gun Runner) will forego an opportunity to sweep the Japan Dirt Triple Crown in favor of a start in the GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22, according to multiple Japanese horse racing sources.Having broken his maiden by some 9 1/2 lengths in his 3-year-old debut at Nakayama Jan. 4, the bay colt has since exclusively raced in listed stakes company on the National Association of Racing (NAR) circuit in Japan. The 1 1/2-length winner of the Listed Bluebird Cup at Funabashi Racecourse Jan. 21, Finger was runner-up in the Listed Keihin Hai at Ohi on Mar. 25, the final lead-up race to the Triple Crown series.After turning the tables on his Keihin Hai conqueror Rock Ptarmigan (Jpn) (Siskin) in the opening leg of the sequence, the Apr. 29 Listed Haneda Hai back at Ohi, Finger led throughout to take that venue's Listed Tokyo Derby on June 10, defeating favored Silver Ratio (Jpn) (Le Vent Se Leve {Jpn}), a recent Group 3 winner in age-restricted company on the Japan Racing Association (JRA) circuit.It was widely believed Finger would go for a sweep of the Triple Crown in October's Japan Dirt Classic–a race won in 2024 by Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn})–but connections appeared to have called an audible.“Next we are aiming for the Pacific Classic,” Tanaka told the Japanese outlet Sanspo. “Based on the results there, I want to consider whether to head to the [GI] Breeders' Cup Classic.”The Pacific Classic is a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the 10-furlong contest on Oct. 31, where he could clash with Forever Young.Finger is a son of Estilo Talentoso (Maclean's Music), winner of the GIII Bed O' Roses Stakes and placed in the GI Madison Stakes and GI Derby City Distaff before being purchased by Japanese connections for $600,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. She was covered by Gun Runner in 2022 prior to her export to Japan.Finger has amassed a record of 4-4-0 from eight starts to date for earnings of $1,303,486. The post Multiple Japanese 3YO Stakes Winner Finger Pointed For Pacific Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.