Yellow Ribbon and Best Pal Stakes take center stage this Saturday at Del Mar, offering fans a high-quality stakes doubleheader on both turf and dirt. From seasoned fillies to speedy juveniles, the afternoon promises something for every racing fan.
Yellow Ribbon and Best Pal Stakes Set to Shine at Del Mar
Del Mar’s Jimmy Durante Turf Course will host the 73rd running of the YELLOW RIBBON AND BEST PAL STAKES, a Grade II test over a mile and one-sixteenth for older fillies and mares. On the main track, the 55th Best Pal Stakes—formerly the Balboa Stakes—will be run over six furlongs for promising 2-year-olds. Together, these races anchor a ten-race card starting at 2 p.m.
The YELLOW RIBBON AND BEST PAL STAKES are headlined by some top contenders. Hang the Moon, a 5-year-old bay mare by Uncle Mo, leads the Yellow Ribbon field. Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Kazushi Kimura, she’s a five-time winner with over $425,000 in earnings and has been installed as the morning line favorite at 3-1.
She’ll face strong competition from Liguria, a War Front mare trained by Mike McCarthy and ridden by turf ace Umberto Rispoli. Liguria boasts four wins and a career bankroll north of $400,000. Wathnan Racing’s Heredia is another to watch, shipping west for Graham Motion and set to be partnered by Del Mar’s leading rider, Juan Hernandez.
All three mares are seasoned stakes performers, and the Yellow Ribbon—formerly known as the Palomar Handicap—has produced many memorable finishes. This year’s edition of the YELLOW RIBBON AND BEST PAL STAKES could be another classic.
The Best Pal Stakes goes earlier in the day as Race 4 and features a small but intriguing field of five. Trainer Bob Baffert sends out two runners, including likely favorite Desert Gate. The Omaha Beach colt was a $260,000 auction purchase and won smartly on debut at Santa Anita in June. He’s listed at 3/5 and will be ridden again by Juan Hernandez.
Stablemate St Petersburg enters after being supplemented for $1,500. While light on experience, the presence of Baffert in his corner gives him instant respect.
Why the Yellow Ribbon and Best Pal Stakes Matter This Season
The YELLOW RIBBON AND BEST PAL STAKES offer contrasting glimpses into California’s racing scene—one showcasing turf veterans, the other uncovering dirt sprinting prospects. With top-class barns, jockeys, and pedigrees, both events deserve the spotlight.
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