Updated October 29, 1998
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Best Pal 1988 Bay Gelding (Habitony-Ubetshedid by King Pellinore) As the racing world focuses their attention on the horses of the Breeders' Cup, we are reminded of our favorites from the past. This week we revisit an old friend, Best Pal, winner of 18 races and the all-time money winner among horses bred in California ($5,668,245). The 10-year-old pensioner now lives at John and Betty Mabee's Golden Eagle Farm, near Ramona, CA, where he was bred, born and raised. He is shown here, leading the post parade for the '98 Pacific Classic (gr. I).

Best Pal retains his popularity with Californians as the most successful Cal-bred ever. He is featured in the Paddock this week as California celebrates its breeding program with California Cup IX, to be held at Santa Anita on October 31. Best Pal was a 3-year-old in his first appearance in the California Cup Classic in 1991, in which he was upset by Charmonnier. He came back to win the Classic in California Cup IV in 1993. The California Cup is a series of races based on the Breeders' Cup for California-bred horses. The concept was pioneered by ABC-TV's Jim McKay, who established the Maryland Million, a championship day for Maryland-bred horses, in 1986. The Maryland Million, held this year on October 17, has been so popular and so successful, that many other states have followed suit. Turfway Park held Kentucky Cup Day on September 26 this year, and Belmont Park had New York Showcase Day on October 24th. Best Pal's Stakes record follows: 2YO in '90:   won: Hollywood Futurity (gr. I), Norfolk Stakes (gr. I), Del Mar Futurity (gr. II), Balboa Stakes (gr. III), I'm Smokin Stakes 2nd: Ladbroke Futurity 3YO in '91:   won: Swaps Stakes (gr. II), Pacific Classic (not yet graded) set ntr of 1:59.40 for 1 1/4 miles 2nd: Kentucky Derby (gr. I), Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), Citation Handicap (gr. II), Silver Screen Handicap (gr. III), California Cup Classic 3rd: San Rafael Stakes (gr. II) 4YO in '92: won: Charles H. Strub Stakes (gr. I), Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), Oaklawn Handicap (gr. I), San Fernando Stakes (gr. II) 5YO in '93: won: Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) 2nd: Hollywood Turf Handicap (gr. IT) 3rd: Pacific Classic (gr. I), Oaklawn Handicap (gr. I) 6YO in '94: won: Native Diver Handicap (gr. III), Answer Do Stakes 2nd: Pacific Classic (gr. I), San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II) 3rd: Kentucky Cup Classic 7YO in '95: won: San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) 2nd: Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I)

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