Klimt Powers Home a Best Pal Winner
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Klimt runs away with the Best Pal Stakes.
Kaleem Shah's Klimt, an impressive maiden winner last out in July, continued to shine when he pulled away to a solid victory in the $200,000 Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) Aug. 13 at Del Mar.
The 2-year-old son of Quality Road tracked pacesetter Big League through early fractions of :23.26 and :46.03, pulled alongside turning for home through three-quarters in 1:09.88, and dispatched his rival in the final sixteenth to finish 2 3/4 lengths clear under jockey Rafael Bejarano. Final time for the 6 1/2-furlong test was 1:16.11.
An even-money favorite in a six-horse field, Klimt returned $4, $2.60, and $2.10 while Big League paid $3.20 and $2.60. Thirstforlife got up for third and was worth $3.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert bought Klimt from the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March sale of 2-year-olds in training for $450,000 from the consignment of Eddie Woods. He was a Bradley Thoroughbreds pinhook, selected for $140,000 from the Gainesway consignment to the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky 2015 select yearling sale.
Bred in Kentucky by Thor-Bred Stables out of the Dixie Union mare Inventive, Klimt now has two wins from three starts.