Best Pal Stakes
| Grade II race | |
| Location | Del Mar Racetrack Del Mar, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1967 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6.5 furlongs |
| Surface | dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Two-year-olds |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $200,000 |
The Best Pal Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The race is open to horses, age two, that are willing to race six and one-half furlongs on dirt. A Grade II event, it currently carries a purse of $200,000.
Inaugurated in 1967 as the Balboa Stakes, it was raced on turf and open to horses age three and up. For 1967 only, the race was run in two divisions. It was not run again until 1972 when it was changed to an event for two-year-olds. For 1995 the race was renamed to honor Best Pal, a California-born racehorse who won the Balboa Stakes in 1990 and whose career earnings totaled more than $5.6 million for his owner-breeder, Golden Eagle Farm.
Since inception the race has been contested at various distances and surfaces:
- 1+1⁄8 miles : 1967 (on turf)
- 7.5 furlongs : 1972-1973 (on turf)
- 1 mile : 1974-1985 (on dirt)
- 7 furlongs : 1986-1992 (on dirt)
- 6.5 furlongs : 1993-2006 (on dirt)
- 6.5 furlongs : 2007–present (on Polytrack)
Records
Speed record: (at current distance of 6.5 furlongs)
- 1:15.08 - Officer (2001)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 5 - Alex Solis (1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2006)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 8 - Bob Baffert (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2016)
Most wins by an owner:
- 3 - Golden Eagle Farm (1990, 1992, 1998)
Winners
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Klimt | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | Kaleem Shah | 1:16.11 |
| 2015 | Nyquist | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 1:16.84 |
| 2014 | Skyway | Stewart Elliott | Mark E. Casse | John C. Oxley | 1:16.67 |
| 2013 | Alberts Hope | Alonso Quinonez | Mike Puype | Jaam Racing | 1:16.71 |
| 2012 | Know More | Garrett Gomez | Doug O'Neill | J. Paul Reddam | 1:16.14 |
| 2011 | Creative Cause | Rafael Bejarano | Mike Harrington | Heinz Steinmann | 1:15.62 |
| 2010 | J P's Gusto | Patrick Valenzuela | David Hofmans | Gem Inc. | 1:16.61 |
| 2009 | Lookin at Lucky | Garrett Gomez | Bob Baffert | M. Pegram, K. Watson, P. Weitman | 1:16.06 |
| 2008 | Azul Leon † | Rafael Bejarano | Douglas F. O'Neill | Joseph LaCombe Stable | 1:16.73 |
| 2007 | Salute the Sarge | Michael Baze | Eric J. Guillot | Southern Equine Stable | 1:19.43 |
| 2006 | Principle Secret | Alex Solis | Christopher Paasch | C. R. Cono LLC | 1:16.15 |
| 2005 | What a Song | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Bob & Beverly Lewis | 1:15.64 |
| 2004 | Roman Ruler | Corey Nakatani | Bob Baffert | Fog City Stable | 1:15.93 |
| 2003 | Perfect Moon | Pat Valenzuela | Melvin F. Stute | M. Stute & The Hat Ranch | 1:16.90 |
| 2002 | Kafwain | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1:17.00 |
| 2001 | Officer | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corp. | 1:15.08 |
| 2000 | Flame Thrower | Corey Nakatani | Bob Baffert | Gary M. Garber | 1:16.51 |
| 1999 | Dixie Union | Alex Solis | Richard E. Mandella | Diamond A Racing Corp./H. Sarkowsky | 1:16.40 |
| 1998 | Worldly Manner | Gary Stevens | Bob Baffert | Golden Eagle Farm | 1:16.60 |
| 1997 | Old Topper | Alex Solis | Noble Threewitt | Barbara Hunter | 1:16.40 |
| 1996 | Swiss Yodeler | Alex Solis | Michael C. Harrington | Heinz Steinmann | 1:16.00 |
| 1995 | Cobra King | Russell Baze | Mike Puype | Betty Biszantz | 1:15.80 |
| 1994 | Timber Country | Alex Solis | D. Wayne Lukas | Gainsway Farm et al. | 1:16.60 |
| 1993 | Creston | Corey Black | Jenine Sahadi | Evergreen Farm | 1:16.20 |
| 1992 | Devil Diamond | Kent Desormeaux | Gary F. Jones | Golden Eagle Farm | 1:22.60 |
| 1991 | Scherando | Francisco Mena | Richard W. Mulhall | Chase Mishkin | 1:22.40 |
| 1990 | Best Pal | Pat Valenzuela | Ian Jory | Golden Eagle Farm | 1:22.20 |
| 1989 | A. Sir Dancer | Eddie Delahoussaye | Charles Marikian | G. Arakelian Farms | 1:23.00 |
| 1988 | Rob an Plunder | Chris McCarron | Craig A. Lewis | Diamond Jim, et al. | 1:23.00 |
| 1987 | Purdue King | Chris McCarron | Irvin Guiney | John Valpredo | 1:23.20 |
| 1986 | Temperate Sil | Bill Shoemaker | Charlie Whittingham | Frankfurt Stable | 1:23.00 |
| 1985 | Swear | Eddie Delahoussaye | Willard L. Proctor | Claiborne Farm | 1:36.60 |
| 1984 | Saratoga Six | Angel Cordero, Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | French, Klein, Lyon, et al. | 1:36.80 |
| 1983 | Party Leader | Ray Sibille | Gary F. Jones | Elmendorf Farm | 1:37.20 |
| 1982 | Roving Boy | Eddie Delahoussaye | Joseph Manzi | Robert E. Hibbert | 1:35.40 |
| 1981 | The Captain | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 1:36.80 |
| 1980 | Bold and Gold | Dean Hall | W. A. Reavis | Ted Rexius | 1:37.40 |
| 1979 | Doonesbury | Sandy Hawley | Barney Willis | Roberts, Roffe & Willis | 1:35.40 |
| 1978 | Flying Paster | Donald Pierce | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | 1:35.60 |
| 1977 | Spanish Way | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 1:36.00 |
| 1976 | Visible | Laffit Pincay, Jr. | Vincent Clyne | Elmendorf Farm | 1:35.80 |
| 1975 | Crazy Channon | Donald Pierce | Harold C. McBride | Colvin, Engelson & Nadel | 1:37.20 |
| 1974 | Diabolo | Bill Shoemaker | Sidney Martin | Frank M. McMahon | 1:35.60 |
| 1973 | Battery E. | Wayne Harris | Dennis W. Sparks | Diamond M Ranch | 1:30.60 |
| 1972 | Brave Dance | Fernando Toro | Wayne B. Stucki | J. Kel Houssels | 1:29.80 |
| 1967 | Acknowledge | William Harmatz | Gordon C. Campbell | Vicgray Farm | 1:49.40 |
| 1967 | Het's Cadet | Miguel Yanez | L. J. Brooks | Wallace F. Zager | 1:49.60 |
* † In 2008, Kelly Leak finished first, but was disqualified and set back to fourth.