2025 Best Pal S.

about this race

Race Info
History

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.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:09:19
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 10 1/4 lengths

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