# Best Pal Stakes

The Best Pal Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds over a distance of six furlongs on the dirt track scheduled annually in August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event currently carries a purse of $150,000.

## History

The event was inaugurated on 30 October 1967 as the Balboa Stakes with split divisions on the final day of the Del Mar 62 day racing season which went into the deep autumn. The event was for three-year-olds and older, and held on the turf over a distance of nine furlongs. The name reflected several area locations — Balboa Park near San Diego, Balboa Peninsula up the coast in Newport Beach, and Balboa Avenue in Del Mar which is located adjacent to the Del Mar Fairgrounds — all named in honor of the Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa.
The event was not run again until 1972 when conditions changed so that two-year-olds would run over a distance of 7+1⁄2 furlongs. In 1974, the event was moved to the dirt track and run over a one-mile distance.
In 1983 the event was classified as Grade III and was upgraded to Grade II in 2003.
In 1995 the event was renamed to honor Best Pal, a three time California Horse of the Year who won the Balboa Stakes in 1990 and whose career earnings totaled more than $5.6 million for his owner-breeder, Golden Eagle Farm.
The event has had several distance changes with last being in 2018 when the journey was set at six furlongs.
The event's position in the racing calendar at Del Mar has led to the race being a preparatory race for the Del Mar Futurity, which is scheduled usually several weeks later.
Other notable winners of this event include the 1994 winner Timber Country who went on that year to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and was crowned US Champion Two-Year-Old Horse who the following year became the first horse to ever win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and American Triple Crown Classic Race when he won the 1995 Preakness Stakes. The 2009 winner, Lookin at Lucky, was crowned US Champion Two-Year-Old Horse and the following year also won the 2010 Preakness Stakes. The 2015 winner Nyquist followed up by winning the Del Mar Futurity and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, along with being crowned the US Champion Two-Year-Old Horse and the following year winning the 2016 Kentucky Derby.
In 2022 the event's classification was downgraded from Grade II to Grade III.

## Records

Speed record:
* 6 furlongs: 1:10.22 – Havnameltdown (2012)
* 6+1⁄2 furlongs: 1:15.08 – Officer (2001)
* 7 furlongs: 1:22.20 – Best Pal (1990)
* 1 mile: 1:35.40 – Doonesbury (1979) and Roving Boy (1982)
Margins:
* 10+1⁄4 lengths – Instagrand (2018)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 5 - Alex Solis (1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2006)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 11 - Bob Baffert (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Most wins by an owner:
* 3 - Golden Eagle Farm (1990, 1992, 1998)
Best Pal Stakes – Del Mar Futurity double:
* Diabolo (1974), Visible (1976), Flying Paster (1978), Bold and Gold (1980), Saratoga Six (1984), Best Pal (1990), Worldly Manner (1998), Flame Thrower (2000), Officer (2001), Lookin At Lucky (2009), J P's Gusto (2010), Nyquist (2015), Klimt (2016)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| Best Pal Stakes ||||||||||
| 2024 | Getaway Car | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital & Catherine Donovan | 6 furlongs | 1:10.73 | $147,000 | III | |
| 2023 | Prince of Monaco | Flavien Prat | Bob Baffert | SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan & Tom Ryan | 6 furlongs | 1:09.19 | $200,000 | III | |
| 2022 | Havnameltdown | Juan J. Hernandez | Bob Baffert | Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman | 6 furlongs | 1:10.22 | $202,500 | III | |
| 2021 | Pappacap | Joe Bravo | Mark E. Casse | Rustlewood Farm | 6 furlongs | 1:11.66 | $200,500 | II | |
| 2020 | Weston | Drayden Van Dyke | Ryan Hanson | Chris Drakos & Ryan Hanson | 6 furlongs | 1:12.72 | $151,000 | II | |
| 2019 | Collusion Illusion | Joseph Talamo | Mark Glatt | Dan J. Agnew, Rodney E. Orr, Jerry Schneider & John V. Xitco | 6 furlongs | 1:11.34 | $200,351 | II | |
| 2018 | Instagrand | Drayden Van Dyke | Jerry Hollendorfer | OXO Equine | 6 furlongs | 1:10.27 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2017 | Run Away | Flavien Prat | Simon Callaghan | Kaleem Shah | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:17.91 | $201,035 | II | |
| 2016 | Klimt | Rafael Bejarano | Bob Baffert | Kaleem Shah | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.11 | $200,345 | II | |
| 2015 | Nyquist | Mario Gutierrez | Doug F. O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.84 | $200,250 | II | |
| 2014 | Skyway | Stewart Elliott | Mark E. Casse | John C. Oxley | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.67 | $200,250 | II | |
| 2013 | Alberts Hope | Alonso Quinonez | Mike Puype | Jaam Racing | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.71 | $150,250 | II | |
| 2012 | Know More | Garrett K. Gomez | Doug F. O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.14 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2011 | Creative Cause | Rafael Bejarano | Mike Harrington | Heinz Steinmann | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.62 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2010 | J P's Gusto | Pat Valenzuela | David E. Hofmans | Gem Inc. | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.61 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2009 | Lookin At Lucky | Garrett K. Gomez | Bob Baffert | Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.06 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2008 | † Azul Leon | Rafael Bejarano | Doug F. O'Neill | Joseph LaCombe Stable | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.73 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2007 | Salute the Sarge | Michael C. Baze | Eric J. Guillot | Southern Equine Stable | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:19.43 | $147,000 | II | |
| 2006 | Principle Secret | Alex O. Solis | Christopher S. Paasch | Charles R. Cono | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.15 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2005 | What a Song | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Bob & Beverly Lewis | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.64 | $147,000 | II | |
| 2004 | Roman Ruler | Corey Nakatani | Bob Baffert | Fog City Stable | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.93 | $147,000 | II | |
| 2003 | Perfect Moon | Pat Valenzuela | Melvin F. Stute | Annabelle Stute & The Hat Ranch | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.90 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2002 | Kafwain | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corporation | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:17.00 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2001 | Officer | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | The Thoroughbred Corporation | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.08 | $138,000 | III | |
| 2000 | Flame Thrower | Corey Nakatani | Bob Baffert | Gary M. Garber | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.51 | $150,000 | III | |
| 1999 | Dixie Union | Alex O. Solis | Richard E. Mandella | Diamond A Racing Corp. & Herman Sarkowsky | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.40 | $150,000 | III | |
| 1998 | Worldly Manner | Gary L. Stevens | Bob Baffert | Golden Eagle Farm | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.60 | $109,300 | III | |
| 1997 | Old Topper | Alex O. Solis | Noble Threewitt | Barbara Hunter | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.40 | $108,825 | III | |
| 1996 | Swiss Yodeler | Alex O. Solis | Mike Harrington | Heinz Steinmann | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.00 | $105,550 | III | |
| Balboa Stakes ||||||||||
| 1995 | Cobra King | Russell Baze | Mike Puype | Frances B. Biszantz | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:15.80 | $105,350 | III | |
| 1994 | Timber Country | Alex O. Solis | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm, Gainesway Stable, Robert & Beverly Lewis, et al. | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.60 | $80,325 | III | |
| 1993 | Creston | Corey Black | Jenine Sahadi | Evergreen Farm | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:16.20 | $79,650 | III | |
| 1992 | Devil Diamond | Kent J. Desormeaux | Gary F. Jones | Golden Eagle Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.60 | $79,650 | III | |
| 1991 | Scherando | Francisco Mena | Richard W. Mulhall | Chase Mishkin | 7 furlongs | 1:22.40 | $81,375 | III | |
| 1990 | Best Pal | Pat Valenzuela | Ian P. D. Jory | Golden Eagle Farm | 7 furlongs | 1:22.20 | $80,325 | III | |
| 1989 | A. Sir Dancer | Eddie Delahoussaye | Charles M. Marikian | G. Arakelian Farms | 7 furlongs | 1:23.00 | $81,300 | III | |
| 1988 | Rob an Plunder | Chris McCarron | Craig Anthony Lewis | Diamond Jim, et al. | 7 furlongs | 1:23.00 | $81,800 | III | |
| 1987 | Purdue King | Chris McCarron | Irv Guiney | John Valpredo | 7 furlongs | 1:23.20 | $65,500 | III | |
| 1986 | Temperate Sil | Bill Shoemaker | Charles E. Whittingham | Frankfurt Stable | 7 furlongs | 1:23.00 | $54,750 | III | |
| 1985 | Swear | Eddie Delahoussaye | Willard L. Proctor | Claiborne Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.60 | $55,250 | III | |
| 1984 | Saratoga Six | Angel Cordero Jr. | D. Wayne Lukas | D. Wayne Lukas, Eaton Farms, L. R. French Jr., Eugene Klein, Mel Hatley, & Samuel Lyon | 1 mile | 1:36.80 | $54,150 | III | |
| 1983 | Party Leader | Ray Sibille | Gary F. Jones | Elmendorf Farm | 1 mile | 1:37.20 | $54,050 | III | |
| 1982 | Roving Boy | Eddie Delahoussaye | Joseph Manzi | Robert E. Hibbert | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $53,150 | Listed | |
| 1981 | The Captain | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.80 | $44,400 | Listed | |
| 1980 | Bold and Gold | Dean C. Hall | William A. Reavis | Ted Rexius | 1 mile | 1:37.40 | $38,300 | Listed | |
| 1979 | Doonesbury | Sandy Hawley | Barney Willis | Fletcher Jones, Sam Roffe & Barney Willis | 1 mile | 1:35.40 | $32,800 | Listed | |
| 1978 | Flying Paster | Donald R. Pierce | Gordon C. Campbell | Bernard J. Ridder | 1 mile | 1:35.60 | $33,000 | Listed | |
| 1977 | Spanish Way | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 1 mile | 1:36.00 | $27,950 | Listed | |
| 1976 | § Visible | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Vincent Clyne | Elmendorf Farm | 1 mile | 1:35.80 | $22,450 | Listed | |
| 1975 | Crazy Channon | Donald Pierce | Harold C. McBride | Colvin, Engelson & Nadel | 1 mile | 1:37.20 | $22,700 | Listed | |
| 1974 | Diabolo | Bill Shoemaker | Sidney Martin | Frank M. McMahon | 1 mile | 1:35.60 | $22,050 | Listed | |
| 1973 | Battery E. | Wayne Harris | Dennis W. Sparks | Diamond M Ranch | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:30.60 | $21,750 | Listed | |
| 1972 | Brave Dance | Fernando Toro | Wayne B. Stucki | J. Kel Houssels | 7+1⁄2 furlongs | 1:29.80 | $21,625 | | |
| 1968–1971 | 1968–1971 | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held | Race not held |
| 1967 | Acknowledge | William Harmatz | Gordon C. Campbell | Vicgray Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.40 | $17,575 | ‡3YO & older | Division 1 |
| 1967 | Het's Cadet | Miguel Yanez | Linwood J. Brooks | Wallace F. Zager | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:49.60 | $17,575 | ‡3YO & older | Division 2 |
Legend:
 All Weather Track  Dirt  Turf
Notes:
‡ The inaugural running of the event in 1967 was for three year olds and older and was split into two divisions. The First Division winner Acknowledge was a six year old. The Second Division winner Het's Cadet was a four year old.
† In the 2008 Kelly Leak was first past the post but caused interference in the straight by drifting in and was disqualified and placed fourth. Azul Leon was declared the winner.
§ Ran as part of an entry