Roman Ruler Rules the Best Pal

The $150,000 Best Pal Stakes, Del Mar’s prep for the $250,000 Futurity on closing day, had a familiar ending Sunday.

For the fifth time in seven years, a 2-year-old trained by Bob Baffert won the Grade II race.

Roman Ruler, the 1-2 favorite, overcame a bad start and what could have been a disaster for him around the far turn, to easily defeat stablemate Actxecutive with a seven-length victory.

Owned by Fog City Stable, the son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus has won both of his starts and will almost certainly be favored against unbeaten Chandtrue in the Futurity.

Well off the pace early, Roman Ruler, who was purchased for $500,000 last September at Keeneland, was forced to steady in the midst of his rally when 11-1 shot Wetherly broke down.

Making his third start after earning his initial win on July 24, Wetherly had to be euthanized after breaking his left foreleg

“It happened so fast,” said winning rider Corey Nakatani. “I was right behind him. Luckily, we missed him.

“This is a special horse. We’re on the road to the Triple Crown races. Keep your fingers crossed.”

Actxecutive, who finished second to Chandtrue in the Hollywood Juvenile on July 17, finished 10 lengths in front of 26-1 shot Slewsbag, then came 3-1 second choice Things Happen.

“This horse is just learning,” said Baffert, whose other Best Pal wins came with Worldly Manner (1998), Flame Thrower (2000), Officer (2001) and Kafwain (2002).

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Rallying wide under jockey Tyler Baze, Kela, the 5-2 second choice, easily won the $200,000 Pat O’Brien Handicap on Sunday at Del Mar.

In the process, the 6-year-old son of Numerous, who is owned by Jay Manoogian and trained by Mike Mitchell, became the fifth horse to win the Bing Crosby and O’Brien in the same year.

Disturbingthepeace (2002), Bruho (1991), Sensational Star (1990) and Zany Tactics (1987) also completed the sweep.

Domestic Dispute, a 13-1 shot, finished second, 4 1/2 lengths behind the winner. Pico Central, a 2-5 favorite seeking his third stakes win in a row, was third in a field reduced to five after Disturbingthepeace, Amerindio and Marino Marini were scratched.

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Golden Commander ($10) beat 5-2 favorite Foreverness by a half-length to win the $114,700 West Point Handicap at Saratoga.

Javier Castellano rode the 4-year-old Deputy Commander gelding for the Flying Zee Stable and trainer Phil Serpe.

Golden Commander ran the 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course in 1:48.85.