Klimt gives Bob Baffert his eighth win in Best Pal Stakes
2-year-old triumphs at Del Mar
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is at it again. He knows how to get owners dreaming about the Kentucky Derby.
The 2-year-old Klimt gave Baffert his eighth victory in the $200,000 Best Pal Stakes on Saturday at Del Mar. Klimt came away with a 2 3/4-length triumph over Big League under jockey Rafael Bejarano as the even-money favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong race. Thirstforlife finished third.
Klimt is a son of Quality Road. He was purchased for $435,000 by Kaleem Shah at the March Ocala Breeders’ Sales. Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist won last year’s Best Pal, so winning the stakes can certainly be a sign of good things to come.
“He’s always shown that he’s a horse that’s going to go farther,” Baffert said. “It was a good race.”
Klimt has won two of his three starts and will be pointed toward the Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 5.
Follow Eric Sondheimer on Twitter @LATSondheimer
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