Principle Secret Wins the Best Pal

For only the second time since 2000, the winner of the $150,000 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar wasn’t a 2-year-old trained by Bob Baffert.

Baffert, who has six victories in the race in the last nine years, was a non-factor in the Grade II on Sunday, finishing fourth and sixth, respectively, with longshots Hot Flame and Mr. Negotiator.

Principle Secret, a son of Sea Of Secrets, gave trainer Chris Paasch his first victory in the prep for next month’s $250,000 Del Mar Futurity, overcoming a troubled beginning to remain unbeaten in two races.

Ridden by Alex Solis, Principle Secret, the 7-5 favorite who had won his debut by 4 3/4 lengths July 22 at Del Mar, beat 3-1 second choice Great Hunter and six others.

Owned by Charles Cono, who bought Principle Secrets for an undisclosed amount from Paasch’s wife, Bonnie, after his maiden win, the dark bay won in 1:16.15 for the 6 1/2 furlongs.

Virtually on the lead throughout in his initial victory, Principle Secrets showed some versatility Sunday.

He was fourth early before taking over from longshot pacesetter Stella’s Posada, who wound up last, and Stormello, who finished third.

Out of a mare, Beright, that the Paaschs still own, Principle Secret will stretch to seven furlongs in the Futurity.

If he is able to win the Futurity, Principle Secret will be the first horse to win both the Best Pal and the Futurity since the Baffert-trained Officer in 2001.

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Lava Man, whose victories this year include the Sunshine Millions Classic, Santa Anita Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup, worked six furlongs in 1:14 Sunday morning prepping for the $1-million Pacific Classic.

The 1 1/4 -mile Classic, which will be run for the 16th time Sunday, also is expected to lure Good Reward, Papi Chullo, Preachinatthebar, Giacomo, Magnum, Super Frolic and Top This And That.

Owned by STD Racing Stable and Jason Wood, Lava Man finished third as the 3-2 favorite in the 2005 Pacific Classic.

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Trainer Todd Pletcher may have another star on his hands in Mo Cuishle.

Making her graded stakes debut in the $200,000 Monmouth Breeders’ Cup Oaks at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., the 3-year-old Saint Ballado filly rolled to a 7 1/4 -length win.

Ridden by Jose Santos, Mo Cuishle, the 3-1 third choice, completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43 for her third win in as many starts.

Her first two victories had come by a combined 7 3/4 lengths at Delaware Park.

A $325,000 yearling purchase, she is owned by Johns Martin, Tom O’Grady and Bill Rucker.

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Homerette, a 15-1 shot, won the $70,000 West Point Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares and 4-1 shot Certifiably Crazy won the $100,000 West Point Handicap for New York-breds at Saratoga.