Now that the calendar has turned to August, the races for 2-year-olds become longer and more important. Though Saturday’s Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar is a Grade 2 affair, it serves as an important prep for the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity at the end of the meet, not to mention the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Del Mar in November.
1. Bet On Mookie: He’s raced twice, trying turf and dirt. He was second on the main track in his debut and then won easily on turf in his second start. His pedigree does not scream out turf so we’ll consider that maiden win a sign of progress. With speed from the rail, he could be a main contender.
JOCKEY: Abel Cedillo TRAINER: Peter Miller
2. Our Empire: Unusual to see a maiden winner from Belterra Park here on the West Coast, but he did win rather easily in his debut. Yet his speed figure and subsequent works were on the slow side, so he’s hard to like in this spot.
JOCKEY: Tyler Baze TRAINER: James Chapman
3. Pappacap: He won impressively on the front end at Gulfstream Park in a manner that indicated more ground would not be a problem. He’s been working quickly since then and seems on edge for a big effort under jockey “So Cal” Joe Bravo.
JOCKEY: Joe Bravo TRAINER: Mark Casse
4. Finneus: He lost by 5 ½ lengths in his debut against open company and then handled California-breds. He did show off a strong late kick in his win which will help here, but the class jump is a concern.
JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli TRAINER: Walther Solis
5. Thirsty Always: He’s also trained by Solis and won in a state-bred maiden race. He then won an open stakes at Pleasanton by nearly five lengths. His speed figure that day was competitive with the top contenders, making him one to consider in a race with limited form to judge.
JOCKEY: Cesar Ortega TRAINER: Walther Solis
6. Aquitania Arrival: Was a sharp winner of his career debut at Churchill Downs then was shipped west to Peter Miller’s barn for this stakes. If he can duplicate his effort from that race, he will be quite formidable here.
JOCKEY: Juan J. Hernandez TRAINER: Peter Miller
7. Olympic Legend: He did not like turf but then woke up with a greatly improved performance on dirt in his second start. A sharp gate work over the track in preparation for this race stamps him as one of the horses to watch.
JOCKEY: Jose Valdivia Jr. TRAINER: Luis Mendez
THE PICK: Pappacap
LIVE LONGSHOT: Thirsty Always
SUPERFECTA: 3-6-7-5
Superfecta
3-4-1-5
3-4-1-5
$11
Consolation Double
7-4-7
7-4-7
$6
Consolation Double
4-7
4-7
$5
Superfecta
3-4-1-5
3-4-1-5
$11
Consolation Double
7-4-7
7-4-7
$6
Consolation Double
4-7
4-7
$5
