Sensational Getaway Car Cruises to Victory in Best Pal Stakes
(August 12, 2024 – Del Mar, CA) In a dominant performance on the West Coast, the highly-touted 2-year-old Getaway Car captured the 54th running of the $150,000 Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar on Sunday.
Trained by the legendary Bob Baffert and expertly guided by top jockey Juan Hernandez, the $700,000 yearling by leading sire Curlin cruised to an impressive 5 1/2 length victory in the six-furlong feature. This marked Getaway Car’s second win from as many career starts, having broken his maiden here at Del Mar on opening day last month.
“This guy’s been a lot of fun. Great name and he’s fast. He wasn’t slowing down. He’s got a beautiful stride. Just a beautiful way of doing it,” remarked the ever-confident Baffert after the race. “He’s by Curlin and Curlin’s usually get better with age. The good horses can get the distance.”
Jockey Hernandez, who has now teamed up with Baffert for three stakes victories this meet, was equally impressed with the juvenile’s performance.
“The gate opened, my horse broke in front, and I just decided to let him go. He was very comfortable on the lead. He is really fast, so he cleared everybody. I just waited till the quarter pole, where his ears went up. I asked him to pick it up again and he did. Can’t wait for the next one.”
Mischief River finished a clear second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of the Wesley Ward-trained eastern shipper White Sands. The heavy 3-10 favorite Getaway Car returned a mere $2.60 to win, with no show wagering offered on the short-priced victor.
This promising Curlin colt has now earned $135,000 in career purse money for owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing and partners. Racing enthusiasts eagerly await Getaway Car’s next stakes engagement, as the powerful Baffert barn appears to have another potential star on their hands.
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