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.