2017 Best Pal Stakes Preview, Entries & Odds

OffTrackBetting.com - Del Mar race track in Del Mar, California will be the scene of the G2 Best Pal Stakes on Saturday, August 12. Horses two years old will take to Del Mar's dirt track and dash 6 ½ furlongs searching for the winner's share of the $200,000 purse.

A field of eight juveniles will take to the track in the Best Pal Stakes - race 9 on Del Mar's Saturday card. Post time is 6:00 PM. Here is a brief look into the past performances of all eight combatants for this G2 stakes.

2017 Best Pal Stakes Entries at Del Mar

Run Away

Simon Callaghan trained colt has two career starts and two nice wins. Last time out was a successful stakes debut - a win in the listed 5 1/2-furlong Santa Anita Juvenile Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths July 3 which followed a win at first asking on that track May 26. Run Away hasn't been touched so far, has registered a very good 92 and 94 BRIS Speed Rating in both of his starts and will try to remain perfect when he leaves from the rail with Flavien Prat aboard.

Serengeti

Bob Baffert trained colt has a win and a second-place finish in his two career starts. He broke his maiden by an astounding 11 lengths as favorite last time out - at Santa Anita June 25 after a second in his debut on that track June 10. Serengeti has been trending upward ahead of this weekend and hopes to make good in his step up in competition. Mike Smith has the mount from post 5.

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Arawak

Posted a win at first asking by seven lengths for trainer Wesley Ward - at Belmont Park May 26 and then took his show to England where he finished twelfth in his only other career start in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Ascot June 20. Arawak looked very good in his first start and will be out to avenge a disappointing effort when he leaves from post 7 with Julio Garcia in the reins.

Armour Plate

Will race for the third time for trainer Eddie Truman having posted one win so far. He got his maiden score last time out at Santa Anita July 1 after a fourth in his career debut on that track June 10. Armour Plate steps into stakes company for the first time hoping to make it two straight wins - from gate 4 with Rafael Bejarano guiding him.

Fleetwood

Will race for the second time for trainer Kent Desormeaux looking to break his maiden. His only career start resulted in a runner-up finish in a MSW race on this track July 22. Fleetwood hopes to make a serious statement Saturday when he leaves from gate 6 with Kent Desormeaux in the irons.

Master Ruler

Has two career starts for trainer John Sadler with two nice wins. He steps into stakes company for the first time Saturday having won both of his races so far - two Allowance races at Camarero in Puerto Rico - the last coming June 4. Master Ruler hasn't been touched so far and hopes to keep the roll going in his most competitive race to date. Evin Roman gets the call from post 3.

An Ocala Ten

Will saddle up for the third time for trainer Peter Miller having posted one win so far. That win came last time out in a Maiden Claiming on this very track after a seventh in his debut at Santa Anita June 25. An Ocala Ten tries to build a streak Saturday in his major step up in competition - from the outside gate 8 with Victor Espinoza in the saddle.

Dia de Pago

Will hit the track for just the second time for trainer Vladimir Cerin looking to build on a nice maiden score in his only start - at Gulfstream Park June 18. He takes a major step up in competition Saturday from gate 2 Saturday with Corey Nakatani guiding him.

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2017 Best Pal Stakes Odds & Entries

Race 9 on Del Mar's Saturday card with a Post Time of 9:03 PM.