Desert Gate a runaway winner of the Best Pal S. (G3)

Bob Baffert got his record 12^th winner in Saturday’s $150,000 Best Pal S. (G3) at Del Mar, as Desert Gate toyed with the competition to roll home an 8 ¾-length winner in the six-furlong race for 2-year-olds.

The Omaha Beach colt was making his stakes debut following June 13 maiden special weight win at five furlongs.

Desert Gate, ridden by Juan Hernandez, sat just off the early leader Punto Forty, who got a quarter-mile in :22.26. Desert Gate pulled alongside the pacesetter going into the turn, then without being asked at all, started to pull away. He was under a hand ride down the stretch and coasted under the wire to stop the timer in 1:10.37 on a fast track.

“It’s nice to see these horses develop like this,” said Baffert. “He’s been kind of quiet down here, but he broke well and that’s the most important part of these 2-year-old races is that they come out clean. This horse is very professional since day one. It’s nice to have these horses. That’s what we’re in the business for. We just got to keep him healthy and sound.”

Owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, Desert Beach has earned $126,000 in his two victories.