Desert Gate gave trainer Bob Baffert a record 12th win in the Best Pal Stakes (G3) with an easy, 8 3/4-length victory Aug. 9 at Del Mar.
The 2-year-old colt by leading third-crop sire Omaha Beach shadowed pacesetting Punto Forty early and took over through a half-mile in :45.31. Winning rider Juan Hernandez took a look back at the eighth pole and, seeing no competition, sat chilly as Desert Gate finished six furlongs on the fast dirt in 1:10.37.
Desert Gate—owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman—paid $2.40 to win as he kept his record perfect in two starts. It was Baffert's fourth consecutive Best Pal win.
"This horse has been very professional since day one. His maiden race was really exceptional," Baffert said.
Baffert and Doug O'Neill accounted for the entire five-horse field. O'Neill trainees grabbed the second through fourth spots, with the California-bred maiden winner Pavlovian rallying for runner-up honors and the maiden Brigante another length back in third.
Baffert said the Sept. 7 Del Mar Futurity (G1) could be next for the winner. Pegram, Watson, and Weitman—operating under their Three Amigos moniker—purchased Desert Gate for $260,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-olds in Training. Consigned by Navas Equine, Desert Gate worked a furlong in :09 4/5 at the sale.
Out of the stakes-winning Curlin mare Theogony, Desert Gate was bred in Kentucky by Twin Oaks Bloodstock.
Omaha Beach, by War Front , stands at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington. Also the sire of Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) winner Kopion, Omaha Beach stood for $35,000 this year.
