May 3, 2025
Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve
Churchill Downs
6:57 EDT
NBC
NBC
Aug. 6, 2020
Best Pal Stakes
Del Mar ~ 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014
$150,000
about this race
A 6 ½ furlong dirt race for 2-year-olds at Del Mar, the Best Pal is one of the first graded stakes for 2-year-olds in California. Formerly named the Balboa Stakes, the Best Pal was renamed in 1996 after the 1990 winner Best Pal. Since 1990, classic winners such as Timber Country, Llokin at Lucky and Nyquist have all won the race.
A 6 ½ furlong dirt race for 2-year-olds at Del Mar, the Best Pal is one of the first graded stakes for 2-year-olds in California. Formerly named the Balboa Stakes, the Best Pal was renamed in 1996 after the 1990 winner Best Pal. Since 1990, classic winners such as Timber Country, Llokin at Lucky and Nyquist have all won the race.
Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:09:19
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 10 1/4 lengths
| Date | Past Winner | Trainer | Jockey | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/10/2024 | Getaway Car | Bob Baffert | Juan J. Hernandez | SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, et al |
| 08/12/2023 | Prince of Monaco | Bob Baffert | Flavien Prat | SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Robert Masterson, et al |
| 08/13/2022 | Havnameltdown | Bob Baffert | Juan J. Hernandez | Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul |
| 08/06/2021 | Pappacap | Mark E. Casse | Joe Bravo | Rustlewood Farm, Inc. |
| 08/07/2020 | Weston | Ryan Hanson | Drayden Van Dyke | Drakos, Chris and Hanson, Ryan |
| 08/09/2019 | Collusion Illusion | Mark Glatt | Joseph Talamo | Agnew, Dan J., Orr, Rodney E., Schneider, Jerry and Xitco, John V. |
| 08/10/2018 | Instagrand | Jerry Hollendorfer | Drayden Van Dyke | OXO Equine LLC |
| 08/11/2017 | Run Away | Simon Callaghan | Flavien Prat | Kaleem Shah, Inc. |
| 08/12/2016 | Klimt | Bob Baffert | Rafael Bejarano | Kaleem Shah, Inc. |
| 08/07/2015 | Nyquist | Doug F. O'Neill | Mario Gutierrez | Reddam Racing LLC |
| 08/02/2014 | Skyway | Mark E. Casse | Stewart Elliott | John C. Oxley |
| 08/03/2013 | Alberts Hope | Mike Puype | Alonso Quinonez | Jaam Racing, Inc. |
| 08/04/2012 | Know More | Doug F. O'Neill | Garrett K. Gomez | Reddam Racing LLC |
| 08/06/2011 | Creative Cause | Mike Harrington | Rafael Bejarano | Heinz H. Steinmann |
| 08/07/2010 | J P's Gusto | David E. Hofmans | Patrick A. Valenzuela | Gem, Inc. (Waken) |
| 08/08/2009 | Lookin At Lucky | Bob Baffert | Garrett K. Gomez | Watson, Karl, Pegram, Michael E. and Weitman, Paul |
| 08/09/2008 | Azul Leon | Doug F. O'Neill | Rafael Bejarano | Joseph Lacombe Stable, Inc. |
| 08/11/2007 | Salute the Sarge | Eric J. Guillot | Michael C. Baze | Southern Equine Stable LLC |
| 08/12/2006 | Principle Secret | Christopher S. Paasch | Alex O. Solis | Charles Cono LLC |
| 08/13/2005 | What a Song | Bob Baffert | Victor Espinoza | Lewis, Robert B. and Beverly J. |
| 08/14/2004 | Roman Ruler | Bob Baffert | Corey S. Nakatani | Fog City Stable |
| 08/16/2003 | Perfect Moon | Melvin F. Stute | Patrick A. Valenzuela | Stute, Annabelle and The Hat Ranch |
| 08/20/2002 | Kafwain | Bob Baffert | Victor Espinoza | The Thoroughbred Corporation |
| 08/14/2001 | Officer | Bob Baffert | Victor Espinoza | The Thoroughbred Corporation |
| 08/22/2000 | Flame Thrower | Bob Baffert | Corey S. Nakatani | Gary M. Garber |
| 08/17/1999 | Dixie Union | Richard E. Mandella | Alex O. Solis | Diamond A Racing Corporation and Sarkowsky, Herman |
| 08/13/1998 | Worldly Manner | Bob Baffert | Gary L. Stevens | Golden Eagle Farm |
| 08/19/1997 | Old Topper | Noble Threewitt | Alex O. Solis | Barbara Hunter |
| 08/20/1996 | Swiss Yodeler | Mike Harrington | Alex O. Solis | Heinz H. Steinmann |
| 08/22/1995 | Cobra King | Mike Puype | Russell A. Baze | Frances B. Biszantz |
| 08/23/1994 | Timber Country | D. Wayne Lukas | Alex O. Solis | Gainesway Farm, Lewis, Overbrook Farm, et al |
| 08/19/1993 | Creston | Jenine Sahadi | Corey A. Black | Evergreen Farm |
| 08/27/1992 | Devil Diamond | Gary F. Jones | Kent J. Desormeaux | Golden Eagle Farm |
| 08/20/1991 | Scherando | Richard W. Mulhall | Francisco Mena | Chase Mishkin |
| 08/21/1990 | Best Pal | Ian P. D. Jory | Patrick A. Valenzuela | Golden Eagle Farm |
| 08/22/1989 | A. Sir Dancer | Charles M. Marikian | Eddie J. Delahoussaye | Arakelian G Farms Inc |
| 08/30/1988 | Rob an Plunder | Craig Anthony Lewis | Chris J. McCarron | Diamond Jim Enterprises & Edson |
| 09/01/1987 | Purdue King | Irv Guiney | Chris J. McCarron | Valpredo J |
| 08/26/1986 | Temperate Sil | Charles E. Whittingham | William Shoemaker | Frankfurt Stable |
| 08/27/1985 | Swear | Willard L. Proctor | Eddie J. Delahoussaye | Claiborne Farm |
| 08/28/1984 | Saratoga Six | D. Wayne Lukas | Angel Cordero, Jr. | French Jr & Klein & Lyon |
| 08/30/1983 | Party Leader | Gary F. Jones | Ray Sibille | Elmendorf |
| 08/24/1982 | Roving Boy | Joseph Manzi | Eddie J. Delahoussaye | Hibbert R E |
| 08/25/1981 | The Captain | Lazaro S. Barrera | Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. | Harbor View Farm |
| 08/26/1980 | Bold and Gold | William A. Reavis | D. C. Hall | Rexius T |
| 08/28/1979 | Doonesbury | Barney Willis | Sandy Hawley | Roberts & Roffe & Willis |
| 08/29/1978 | Flying Paster | Gordon C. Campbell | Don Pierce | Ridder B J |
| 08/30/1977 | Spanish Way | Lazaro S. Barrera | Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. | Harbor View Farm |
| 08/31/1976 | Visible | Vincent Clyne | Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. | Elmendorf |
