2021 Best Pal Stakes at a Glance

Racing
Horses round the turn in the 2020 Best Pal Stakes, won by Weston (second from right, white shadow roll). (Eclipse Sportswire)

Now that the calendar has turned to August, the races for 2-year-olds become longer and more important. Though Saturday’s Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar is a Grade 2 affair, it serves as an important prep for the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity at the end of the meet, not to mention the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Del Mar in November.

best pal stakes

Racetrack: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, Calif.
Date: Aug. 7
Purse: $200,000
Distance: 6 furlongs
Race: 9
Post time: 9 p.m. ET
Notable winners: Nyquist (2015), Lookin At Lucky (2009), Roman Ruler (2004), Dixie Union (1999), Timber Country (1994), Best Pal (1990).

1. Bet On Mookie: He’s raced twice, trying turf and dirt. He was second on the main track in his debut and then won easily on turf in his second start. His pedigree does not scream out turf so we’ll consider that maiden win a sign of progress. With speed from the rail, he could be a main contender.

JOCKEY: Abel Cedillo  TRAINER: Peter Miller

2. Our Empire: Unusual to see a maiden winner from Belterra Park here on the West Coast, but he did win rather easily in his debut. Yet his speed figure and subsequent works were on the slow side, so he’s hard to like in this spot.

JOCKEY: Tyler Baze TRAINER: James Chapman

3. Pappacap: He won impressively on the front end at Gulfstream Park in a manner that indicated more ground would not be a problem. He’s been working quickly since then and seems on edge for a big effort under jockey “So Cal” Joe Bravo.

JOCKEY: Joe Bravo TRAINER: Mark Casse

4. Finneus: He lost by 5 ½ lengths in his debut against open company and then handled California-breds. He did show off a strong late kick in his win which will help here, but the class jump is a concern.

JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli  TRAINER: Walther Solis

5. Thirsty Always: He’s also trained by Solis and won in a state-bred maiden race. He then won an open stakes at Pleasanton by nearly five lengths. His speed figure that day was competitive with the top contenders, making him one to consider in a race with limited form to judge.

JOCKEY: Cesar Ortega TRAINER: Walther Solis

6. Aquitania Arrival: Was a sharp winner of his career debut at Churchill Downs then was shipped west to Peter Miller’s barn for this stakes. If he can duplicate his effort from that race, he will be quite formidable here.

JOCKEY: Juan J. Hernandez TRAINER: Peter Miller

7. Olympic Legend: He did not like turf but then woke up with a greatly improved performance on dirt in his second start. A sharp gate work over the track in preparation for this race stamps him as one of the horses to watch.

JOCKEY: Jose Valdivia Jr. TRAINER: Luis Mendez

THE PICK: Pappacap

LIVE LONGSHOT: Thirsty Always

SUPERFECTA: 3-6-7-5

2021 Best Pal S.
August 7th, 2021

Winning Time: 1:11.66
  • Purse: $200,000
  • Distance: 6 Furlongs
  • Age: 2 yo
  • Surface: Dirt
  • Winning Time: 1:11.66
Results
Win
Place
Show
1st
3 Pappacap
$6.60
$3.40
$2.60
2nd
4 Finneus
$4.00
$2.80
3rd
1 Bet On Mookie
$3.20
4th
5 Thirsty Always
5th
6 Aquitania Arrival
6th
2 Our Empire
Scratches
Payoff
Pick 3
7-4-3
7-4-3
$13
Daily Double
4-3
4-3
$13
Exacta
3-4
3-4
$14
Quinella
3-4
3-4
$14
Superfecta
3-4-1-5
3-4-1-5
$11
Trifecta
3-4-1
3-4-1
$19
Consolation Double
7-4-7
7-4-7
$6
Consolation Double
4-7
4-7
$5
Payoff
Pick 3
7-4-3
7-4-3
$13
Daily Double
4-3
4-3
$13
Exacta
3-4
3-4
$14
Quinella
3-4
3-4
$14
Superfecta
3-4-1-5
3-4-1-5
$11
Trifecta
3-4-1
3-4-1
$19
Consolation Double
7-4-7
7-4-7
$6
Consolation Double
4-7
4-7
$5

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube