Best Pal Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
DMR- For Two Year Olds
Six and a Half Furlongs on the Dirt
August 13, 2016

About two months ago, Wipeout found himself running in a $25.000 maiden claimer at CD, and Bigking was one of two people to put in a claim for him.  Bigking is certainly thrilled that he was able to win that shake, and knew right away he had a very talented horse.  He was placed directly in this race off that maiden claiming event and it’s pretty clear to see that Wipeout has improved since then.  When we look at these two year old graded stakes this time of year, the question on everyone’s mind will be how will they begin to handle the longer distances?  I didn’t put Wipeout in my top four picks, but he did strike me as a horse that is going to love going longer and longer.  That’s what makes this result extra interesting today.   This may not be a horse that just won the Best Pal in August, but could be a successful entity come prep racing season next year.  For now though, we’ll enjoy the Best Pal.   It is the first such win in the stake for both the trainer, and the jockey, A O Solis.   The time of the win was 1:15.59.  No, I didn’t just copy over that sentence from my Adirondack recap.  Wipeout and Threat would have been in a dead heat!  Congratulations to the winner, here’s a deep look!  Feel free to play that wipe out song as you read.  Wish I could include it!

1st- 4- Wipeout (8/1)- The eventual race winner from Bigking was good out of the gate, and battled Shen Valley in the opening furlong for the lead until opting to back off of that challenge. A O Solis would let him go, and ultimately restrain Wipeout a bit to run in a four-way battle for third, about two lengths from the leader.  Remained steady in the turn, and when they hit the top of the stretch, he would be the one emerging with the second position. With a furlong to go, he still had a length and a half to make up on Shen Valley, who still seemed to be in good control of the race. At this point, A O Solis asked Wipeout to dig down and find a little more, and he would get just what he was after.  Wipeout found the extra gear and made the pass look easy to get the win! The time of the win, just like the Adirondack, was 1:15.59! Wipeout is a two year old gelding by Hawaii 5 O (Laffin Policeman) and out of Stop Drop And Roll.  He was bred in California by Barcelona Farms as a yearling and acquired by Bigking in a $25.000 maiden claiming event.  Congratulations to the connections!

2nd- 9- Shen Valley (9/2)- Our selection from Keikowin Racing put forth a pretty good effort for second place today, starting very well out of the gate and leading the field at a 1/4 mile in :22.59. He moved confidently along the rail at this point, and had 1 ½ length cushion on second as they began to move into the turn.  Ran strong around the turn, opening up a two length advantage while running a half mile in :45.13.  Handled the turn well, and still looked to be in good shape as long as he could stay with it in the final furlong.  Wipeout began to put some pressure on, and Shen Valley just seemed to become uncomfortable.  Wipeout easily got by and he may have been fortunate to hold off a slew of others.

3rd- 7- What A Wildman (5/1)- The entry from Mb Stables started near the back of the field, keeping Sweep The Ledge company in the early moments.    Did well to keep between Peppermint Tune and Scaredofhisownshadow at this point though, and it kept him out of later trouble.  Advanced a bit in the turn, but was able to utilize this lane in an aggressive manner in the stretch and would be in great stride for the stretch.  Got up just in time for third.

4th- 1- Sweep Charley Farley (16/1)- Got off to a decent start while along the rail for Kopites, being the inside-most horse of a four-wide battle for third as they moved into the turn.  Maintained this position for the run around the turn, and the lane was clear for him to make a big move in the stretch.  Here he would run well, but did not have the same kind of horsepower underneath him as did a couple others, but still gets a good finish.

5th- 10- Sweep The Ledge (7/1)- Our entry from John Henry wasn’t too interested in the early pace, and ran alongside What A Wildman in the early moments, about 5 ½ lengths from the lead. There were not many options for him as the stretch run approached, so he would go out well wide, about eight lanes, to make his push.  He was actually quite good once he got to this lane, but the trip would do him in.

6th- 3- Peppermint Tune (17/1)- Started right in the middle of the pack for Allinthegate, keeping himself a length behind the four way battle for third as they moved into the turn.  On exit of the turn, he would make a big move to the outside, being about six to seven wide in the process.  He was full of run momentarily, but this run would fizzle out, likely in part to the extra race track that he needed to cover.

7th- 6- Scaredofhisownshadow (11/1)- The Eastern Equine gelding started near the back of the field, tucked in behind the longshot Red Native as they moved into the turn.  Stayed in the spot while entering the turn and would be able to get by Red Native while following Sweep Charley Farley on the rail.  Advanced nicely in the stretch, but would come up short.

8th- 11- The Force Awakens (3/1)- The post time favorite and our second choice from Diablo Diablo actually seemed pretty sharp out of the gate, but would soon move back into a stalking position.  This meant that he would be the outsidemost horse of a four way battle for third.  Hung around while in this lane, but did not have it in him to make a move to the front.

9th- 12- Rebel Force (7/1)- The Sccj Stables entry started strongly out of the gate, but he could never quite clear The Force Awakens on the backstretch.  This led to him needing to remain five wide there, and while moving into the turn.  Ran well for a little while, but ultimately this wide lane got the best of him and he seemed to struggle to this position.

10th- 2- Red Native (51/1)- The longest shot on the board from Mcl Stables was unable to pull off any upsets today, though he did seem to have a good midpack position initially. When the others began to make their moves in the stretch, Red Native was not able to stay with them and in the end could only beat Limato.

11th- 5- Limato (18/1)- Pretty disappointed in his run today as I thought he had a great chance here, but it just goes to show how unpredictable two year old stakes can be.  The Blushing Meadows entry was lethargic as soon as the gate opened, and never seemed comfortable. Started to get it together a bit in the stretch but it was way too late at that point.

Track: Fast
Time: :22²  :45   1:09¹  1:15²

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 4 – 9 Paid 69.40
$1 Trifecta: 4 – 9 – 7 Paid 298.90

Scratched: Charley Cowgirl(L)

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES