Del Mar's juvenile action heats up Saturday with G2 Best Pal
Two-year-old males in California get their first crack at a graded-stakes on Saturday in the $200,000 Best Pal Stakes (G2) going six furlongs at Del Mar.
Among the principals in the field of seven are the promising maiden winner Pappacap for Hall of Famer Mark Casse and a pair of colt’s for Del Mar’s leading trainer, Peter Miller, in Bet on Mookie and Aquitania Arrival.
Bet On Mookie debuted in a 4 1/2-furlong dash at Santa Anita on May 23. After being bumped at the start, the Uncaptured colt recovered and had the lead in the stretch, but was overtaken in the final furlong to check in second.
Switched to turf for start No. 2 on June 11 at Santa Anita, Bet On Mookie broke on top and proceeded to run them off their feet when drawing off to win by 5 ¼ lengths. Miller, who topped the Del Mar trainer standing with 10 wins entering Thursday’s action, indicated the switch back to dirt should not be an issue.
“He’s trained well on the dirt and we really think he’s a colt that can handle both surfaces equally as well,” Miller said. “We’re really looking forward to a big race on Saturday.”
Bet On Mookie will break from the rail under Abel Cedillo, who was also aboard in the debut. Miller is not particularly worried about the inside draw as he expects Bet on Mookie to be gunning from the start.
“He’s very fast. If they go with us, they’re probably going too fast,” Miller said.
Owned by Gary Barber, Bet On Mookie was purchased by Miller as agent for $125,000 at this year’s OBS March 2-year-olds in training sale.
Aquitania Arrival will be making his first start in California and first for Miller in the Best Pal. Previously, the Carpe Diem colt graduated on debut at Churchill Downs on May 28 while with trainer William Morey. Owner Peter Redekop sent Aquitania Arrival to Miller about six weeks ago, the trainer said. He expects the Best Pal will provide a solid gauge on where the colt fits on the Southern California circuit.
“He’s a nice horse, we just really don’t know much about him,” Miller said. “How good he is, how he’s going to like this dirt track here. So we’re just kind of trying to learn from the horse and see where we’re at.”
Pappacap has not started since a debut win going five furlongs on dirt at Gulfstream Park on May 14. He is a Florida-bred son of Breeders' Cup Classic winner Gun Runner, who has gotten off to a fast start at stud with nine winners from 19 starters to top the freshman sire list entering Thursday’s action.
In his debut, Pappacap broke in front and stayed there while pulling away late to score by 2 ¾ lengths in a final time of 58.4. The homebred for Rustlewood Farm has worked twice since his arrival at Del Mar, which includes a bullet five-furlong drill from the gate in 1:00.2 on July 21.
Pappacap will be ridden by Joe Bravo.
Also not to be overlooked in the Best Pal is California-bred Finneus, who is one of two entered for trainer Walther Solis. The Stay Thirsty colt earned a race-high 90 Brisnet Speed Rating when graduating at Santa Anita on May 29. He has three bullet works on the tab since that effort.
The Best Pal, which has a scheduled post time of 9:06 p.m. EDT, is the local major prep for the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) on closing day Sept. 6.