Saturday’s $150,000 Best Pal Stakes (G3), contested for the 56th time, is a 6-furlong dirt sprint for 2-year-olds at Del Mar and serves as a key local prep for the Del Mar Futurity (G1) later in the meet. Best Pal earned over $5.6 million, swept California’s major 1 ¼-mile handicaps, including the inaugural Pacific Classic (G1) and was a three-time California Horse of the Year. The race has been at 6 furlongs in recent years and is typically a speed-favoring test that identifies early division leaders. Best Pal Betting: A Field of Six is SetThe 2026 field of six includes several impressive debut winners and one with stakes experience. It’s hard to say where he’ll find his best stride under Kazushi Kimura, but typically first timers show early speed.