Best Pal Stakes (Grade 2)- $200.000 Purse
DMR- For Two Year Old
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
August 10, 2019

Two year old with potential early in their careers head to DMR on Saturday for the 16th running of the Best Pal Stakes, run at six furlongs for just the second time. Last year, the race was won by Red Cup, out of Our Athletes, a horse that has gone on to race in top graded stakes this year, including two legs of the triple crown. Unfortunately, he has not won again since winning the Best Pal. Chrystal Believer, Sport Guide, and Black Scorpion were some other runners that came out of last year’s edition. Those are the horses that Saturday’s runners hope to emulate, and not others in the field who have not fulfilled their potential. The gate is full, and early graded success awaits. Let’s meet the field!

#1- Sweet Sweat (Mb Stables, ridden by J Talamo)- This one has experienced nothing but the smell of victory in his career, and is one of just two horses in the field that has won a stake (the $100.000 Nevin at PLN) this year. The other is based on someone who certainly had experienced the smell of victory, too. Mb Stables picked him up in private sales from Team 7 Illusions for $150.000 unraced, and is making his purchase count.

#2- Great Britain (Blushing Meadows, ridden by V Espinoza)- He’s one-for-two in his career this far, getting a maiden win on a rainy day at WO after not doing much in his debut. Went wire to wire in the slop, and his work times suggest that he is very capable of impressing us once again. The blinkers come off from that race, and bute is added, as of press time.

#3- Charteris (Fractious, ridden by Ru Fuentes)- Had two starts in very quick succession in April, then was sold by Barcelona Farms in late June for $40.000 in private sales. Won his Fractious debut at LS, and prepares to take on the toughest crowd he has seen. His last work here was not that exciting, but as we know there could be a reason for it if something was tested. In a race where horses are just getting started, that’s enough for me to look away here.

#4- Brittle (Aer Stables, ridden by K Frey)- When I first saw this horse, I was expecting to see a short femur, or poor legs, or something to that effect. Fortunately for the trainer, that is not the case at all and he is actually well conformed. Naturally, Aer is happy about starting from this post, and getting a ten percent jockey. If he follows the form he did in breaking his maiden at WO six weeks or so ago, the Aer will be even more happy.

#5- Lawn Party (Rampage Stable, ridden by T J Pereira)- Thursday was a great day for the trainer with two year olds at DMR, sweeping the early double with a pair of routers. He’ll be hoping for that trend to continue here with Lawn Party on Saturday. The colt is one-for-two early his career, with the win coming at WO six weeks ago. Work times show that he is ready to run, so a party may be in the plans soon!

#6- Boardwalk (La Canada Racehorses, ridden by M E Smith)- Had an eventful May 17th, being sold in private sales twice in one day, for $35.000 and then for $40.000. This ended up in the barn of La Canada Racehorses, and he made his debut a month later, going wire to wire. Has one post-race work, and either he got a nice bump, or he is going to be excellent as he continues to stretch out his distance. Interested in seeing how he follows that race up.

#7- Dream Engine (Chili King Stables, ridden by Mar Garcia)- Raced last month in the Grade 3 Sanford, and made up ground impressively in the stretch to get up for third. That caught the attention of Chili King Stables, who put down $400.000 to get him from Joshua. Expectations for him are now high, and based on his works, he is one of the top contenders. I certainly find him intriguing.

#8- Geronimo (Nakamura Stables, ridden by G Franco)- Part of the group of horses in the field that are 1-for-2 in their careers. Many of them look pretty similar at this point, and Geronimo is right along those lines. Broke his maiden about two months ago at MTH, and his work times are strong. He looks to be a good candidate for a horse that might be real good going long, so if this is not his day, still keep an eye out.

#9- Guy Lafleur (John Henry, ridden by Desormeaux)- The Flower does not need to score any goals on Saturday, he just needs to run fast. Wasn’t bred in Canada, but being bred in Louisiana may be the next best thing for the namesake of the Quebec-born legend. This will be his debut for John Henry, who picked him up for $175.000 from Greeko Holdem a week and a half ago. He’s one of two stake winners in here, taking the LA-bred Young Memorial Futurity last month. Should have to start from post 10 every race, but I’ll digress on that.

#10- Stark (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by N Arroyo Jr)- Like others in the field, he is one-for-two in his career, coming up short in his debut before winning his second race. For Stark, that came in the mud at BEL against NY-breds a week before the running of the BEL. Works are great, but perhaps most importantly, are showing improvement each time he goes out there. Would love to separate himself from those who look like him at this point.

#11- Tornado Force (Waldo, ridden by A T Gryder)- He is also batting .500 for his career, but his win came in his debut. He tried to follow that up in the Nevin Stakes, the race won by Sweet Sweat, but finished well back. I would have preferred to have seen run closer to his rival today in that race, but improvement can occur.

#12- Minor Tune (Fractious, ridden by Ru Gonzalez)- Acquired by the trainer from Barcelona Farms on the same day he purchased Charteris from him. $10.000 more was required in this sale, and this will be his debut for the trainer. He’s made three starts thus far, winning one. His most recent race saw him run fourth in a CD allowance. The biggest challenge will be this outside post.

Prediction: 1-7-9-4

— NS

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES