Best Pal draws Salute the Sarge

Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. (G3) winner SALUTE THE SARGE (Forest

Wildcat) will put his unbeaten career mark on the line when he faces five rivals

in Sunday's $150,000 Best Pal S. (G2) at Del Mar. Trained by Eric Guillot, the

bay colt could face a stiff challenge from LEONIDES (Richter Scale) and GEORGIE

BOY (Tribal Rule) in the 6 1/2-furlong contest.

Named in honor of colorful conditioner Nick Hines, Salute the Sarge commanded

$300,000 at the Barrett's March two-year-old sale and opened his career with a

sharp score at Hollywood Park, overcoming a wide trip to win going away by a

half-length. The runner-up in that event, SLAM SLEW (Grand Slam), easily

captured his next start over maiden special weight rivals and will make his

stakes bow in the Best Pal for Richard Mandella. Salute the Sarge rallied boldly

to capture the Hollywood Juvenile Championship last out, and he'll break from

the rail on Sunday with regular rider Michael Baze.

Leonides, a first-out maiden special weight winner, just missed in the

Hollywood Juvenile Championship, rallying from off the pace to finish second by

a nose. The Vladimir Cerin pupil will try Salute the Sarge again with Joseph

Talamo. Georgie Boy placed in his first two career outings before recording an

authoritative three-length score over the Polytrack in the Graduation S. last

out. Maiden winners SKY CAPE (Najran) and MIX (Menifee) round out the field.

From the rail, the Best Pal runners are Salute the Sarge, 123; Mix, Corey

Nakatani, 117; Sky Cape, Jose Valdivia Jr., 119; Slam Slew, Victor Espinoza,

119; Leonides, 119; and Georgie Boy, Mike Smith, 123.