Havnameltdown Gives Baffert a Ninth Best Pal

[Wandering Eyes]

Sent off the 1-2 chalk on the strength of a 2 1/4-length debut victory going five furlongs July 24, Pegram, Watson & Weitman's HAVNAMELTDOWN (c, 2, Uncaptured–Ashley's Babe, by Put It Back) was made to work for it, but in the end proved too classy for his rivals in Sunday's GIII Best Pal S., coming away late to take it by open lengths. Drawn widest of all, the $16,000 OBS October Yearling turned $200,000 OBS April breezer pinged the stalls and showed good early speed to get down into the three path, where he cut the opening quarter-mile in a sharp :21.74 despite having to do some work. Maintaining a narrow advantage into the turn, the Florida-bred raced in the two path and faced a fresh challenge from $400,000 OBS March graduate  Agency (Bolt d'Oro), who rolled up three wide, looking every bit ready to capitalize on the favorite's early exertions. The latter got to within about a half-length with three-sixteenths of a mile to travel, but Havnameltdown had something left and kicked home about 2 1/2 lengths to the good. Longshot Man Child (Creative Cause) rounded out the trifecta. Havnameltdown was providing trainer Bob Baffert with a record-extending ninth Best Pal, but first since Klimt (Quality Road) in 2016. The 'Three Amigos' won the 2009 Best Pal with Lookin At Lucky. Sales history: $16,000 Ylg '21 OBSOCT; $200,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR. O-Pegram, Watson & Weitman; B-Katherine S Devall (FL); T-Bob Baffert.

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