Alberts Hope gives Puype birthday present in Best Pal

Jaam Racing's Alberts Hope justified 5-2 favoritism in a competitive renewal

of the Grade 2, $150,250

Best Pal

Stakes on Sunday, handing trainer Mike Puype a memorable 47th birthday

present. The promising juvenile edged the rail-skimming Celtic Moon by a

half-length to remain perfect in two starts.

Alberts Hope had stalked and pounced his way to victory as a 33-1 longshot in

his July 14 debut at Hollywood Park. He was flattered when third-place finisher

Rum Point came back to win at Del Mar on Saturday, and the form boost proved

both timely and significant.

"I was kind of surprised by his first time out (win)," Puype said, "because I

had never really pushed on this horse. I think there's a little bit more even

than you've seen today."

As expected, there was plenty of pace on tap. Alpine Luck and Guns Loaded

vied in the opening strides, until Alpine Luck forged ahead to reel off a

quarter in :22 2/5. Celtic Moon stalked in third, followed by Alberts Hope,

Skydreamin and Ontology, who was off a step slow while veering in at the break.

Guns Loaded took another run at Alpine Luck at the half-mile mark in :45 3/5.

But by that point on the turn, Alberts Hope was sweeping into contention on the

outside, and Celtic Moon was sneaking up the fence, to make it a four-way battle

entering the stretch. Alpine Luck soon gave way, and Guns Loaded likewise could

not keep up with Alberts Hope and Celtic Moon.

"When that other horse (Celtic Moon) came to him, he fired again. Maybe even

bigger and better for him next time."

Celtic Moon's attitude impressed jockey Edwin Maldonado.

"He ran a game race. It got tight on the turn," Maldonado noted of his

adventurous passage on the rail.

Guns Loaded held third, another 2 1/4 lengths back. Ontology closed mildly

for fourth, and Alpine Luck and Skydreamin completed the order of finish. Easy

Solution was scratched.

With this successful stakes debut, Alberts Hope increased his earnings to

$121,200. The Run Away and Hide gelding, who initially sold for $20,000 as a

weanling at Keeneland November, RNA'd for $39,000 at OBS last August. Two months

later, he was purchased for $40,000 at Barretts October.

"Obviously the next step is on to the Futurity," Puype said of Del Mar's

closing-day feature on September 4. "We'll give it a shot and see if he's good

enough. He doesn't owe anyone anything after this win (considering) what we paid

for him."