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Best Pal Stakes

The Best Pal Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually at Del Mar Race Track in Del Mar, California. The race is open to horses, age two, that are willing to race six and one-half furlongs on Polytrack. A Grade II event, it carries a purse of $150,000.

Inaugurated in 1967 as the Balboa Stakes, it was raced on turf and open to horses age three and up. For 1967 only, the race was run in two divisions. It was not run again until 1972 when it was changed to an event for two-year-olds. For 1995 the race was renamed to honor Best Pal, a California-born racehorse who won the Balboa Stakes in 1990 and whose career earnings totaled more than $5.6 million for his owner-breeder, Golden Eagle Farm. Since inception the race has been contested at various distances and surfaces.

Del Mar Race Track Graded Stakes Races

Stakes Race Grade Purse
Eddie Read Stakes I $300,000
San Clemente Handicap II $150,000
Cougar II Handicap III $125,000
San Diego Handicap II $200,000
Bing Crosby Stakes I $250,000
Sorrento Stakes III $150,000
Clement L. Hirsch Stakes I $300,000
Best Pal Stakes II $150,000
La Jolla Handicap II $150,000
John C. Mabee Stakes II $250,000
Del Mar Oaks I $250,000
Rancho Bernardo Handicap III $150,000
Del Mar Mile II $200,000
Del Mar Handicap II $200,000
Pacific Classic Stakes I $1,000,000
Pat O'Brien Stakes I $250,000
Del Mar Debutante I $250,000
Del Mar Derby II $250,000
Palomar Handicap II $150,000
Del Mar Futurity I $250,000

Live Racing Schedule

Race Tracks Time (EST)