Horse Racing: Best Pal, A special horse
Sired by Habitony out of the damsire Ubetshedid, the professional racehorse Best Pal was foaled on the 12th of February 1988 in Ramona California. The brown horse is known for the record purses that he earned during his athletic career. The American
Hall of Fame Champion racehorse was the only Californian bred horse to earn a purse amount as much as US $ 5.6 million during his career.
The descendant of Princequillo, Best Pal was owned by the Golden Eagle Farm. Bred by John Mabee and Betty Mabee, the champion gelding was the winner of the 1990 Pacific Classic run at Del Mar. Moreover, Best Pal was also the runner up of the 1991 Kentucly
Derby and the Santa Anita Derby (1991 and 1995). He also went on to win the California Gold Cup that was run at the Hollywood Park Racetrack.
Best Pal was trained by the legendary Gary Jones, and thus was also voted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame this year (2010). The racehorse was retired in 1996. The great gelding died due to a massive heart attack that he had while he was
returning from a training session at Golden Eagle Farm. His grave was made at the same farm and covered with a large boulder.
Best Pal started his athletic career as a two year old gelding and won a huge fan following. He has many major wins from the 47 career starts. In the first racing season (in the year 1990) contended by him, Best Pal won 4 major races of American Horse Racing
arena. These include the Hollywood Futurity, Del Mar Futurity, Norfolk Stakes and Balboa Stakes. On the basis of his great performances in the aforementioned events, Best Pal was also adorned with the California Horse of the Year 1990 Award.
He then went on to compete in more races in the next horse racing season of 1991. Two significant races were won by Best Pal as a three year old racehorse. These two starts were the Pacific Classic Stakes (1991) and the Swaps Stakes (1991). The champion
gelding was yet again awarded the California Horse of the Year 1991 title. His victories were greatly acknowledged by trainers and fans in California.
As for the 1992 horse racing season, Best Pal once again displayed his talent and potential at its best, winning four major races. These included the Santa Anita Handicap (1992), Charles H. Strub Stakes (1992), the Oaklawn Handicap (1992) at Oaklawn Park
and the San Fernado Stakes (1992). Best Pal managed to impress his fans once again and thus won the California Horse of the Year Award 1992.
The next racing season, 1993, Best Pal went on to contend some of the most significant races run in America including the Hollywood Gold Cup (1993) and the California Cup Classic (1993). He then won the Native Driver Handicap (1994) and then the San Antonio
Handicap (1995).
Out of the 18 career wins, 17 won by Best Pal were stakes. Apart from these spectacular victories, the racehorse also contended 11 races in which he finished in second place. He is also the third place finisher of four stakes races.
Best Pal was one of the few horses with a huge fan following. People used to come and witness races run by Best Pal from all over America. He was more of a people’s horse than a contender. For instance, he once received fan mail which had a personalized
licence plate saying “Best Pal”. A children’s book has also been written on his story. His fans refer to Best Pal as a once-in-a-lifetime horse. They also say that those who have witnessed the racehorse run and win have seen something very special and worthwhile.
Even when he retired and was training at the Golden Eagle Farm, he was the centre of love and affection by his fans.
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