Pappacap potential breakout star in Best Pal Stakes
The defection of Big City Lights from the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes Saturday at Del Mar provides an opportunity for an unheralded 2-year-old to make a splash.
Big City Lights, presumptive Best Pal favorite based on smashing victories in his first two starts, exited his latest work acting “a little different,” according to his connections. He will skip the Best Pal and train into the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 6.
Absent the division leader, the six-furlong Best Pal is a raffle. Seven are entered, including stakes winner Thirsty Always and stablemate Finneus, trained by Walther Solis. Maiden winners Bet On Mookie and Aquitania Arrival, trained by Peter Miller, are entered, along with outsiders Olympic Legend and Our Empire.
But if the field includes a future star, it might be a colt making the second start of his career and first in nearly three months. Trainer Mark Casse is not bashful about praising Pappacap, a Gun Runner colt he ranks among the top 2-year-olds in his stable.
“We’ve had [14] 2-year-old winners this year and I put him up there right at the top,” Casse said. “He does everything you ask of him. His works in Ocala at our training center – we’ve had some good horses there over the years – he’s done things like they do.”
Pappacap surprised Casse with his speed in his only start, a maiden win May 14 at Gulfstream Park.
“I was surprised he was as fast as he was,” Casse said. “I told the owners he’ll probably sit midpack and come with a run. And he did the exact opposite.”
Pappacap broke like a shot, and wired the field.
“It amazes me he is what he is,” Casse said. “I think this is a horse that is going to do nothing but get better.”
He is bred to run long, and has worked well at Del Mar for Casse assistant Allen Hardy. If Pappacap and jockey Joe Bravo break running in the Best Pal, the race might be over.
Bet On Mookie and Aquitania Arrival are each coming off a maiden win. Bet On Mookie won a Santa Anita turf sprint by more than five lengths in his second start, an improved effort that Miller credits to experience rather than footing.
“The race under his belt was the main thing, but he definitely took to grass,” he said.
Miller did not commit both Bet On Mookie and Aquitania Arrival to the Best Pal, though the defection of Big City Lights will be a factor in whether both run. Aquitania Arrival won his only start May 28 at Churchill Downs.
Bet On Mookie and Pappacap appear to be the speed of the Best Pal, while Solis-trained stakes winner Thirsty Always and Finneus will rally late. Both are nominated to the Graduation Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds on Sunday.