Buddy of Mine, a $5,000 claim in June, is now a stakes winner and, according to his trainer Billy Lewis, "the best horse in California as far as Arabians concerned" after capturing the ARAC Director's Open Saturday at Los Alamitos.

     The even-money favorite in the field of seven, Donald and Vivienne Dates's 6-year-old sat off the early pace under jockey Joy Scott, moved into the lead around the far turn and pulled away for his third win in a row and fifth victory in six starts since being claimed. The Dates and Lewis bought Buddy of Mine for $5,000 out of a June 29 race at Pleasanton.

    "He's the best claim I've made, and I've claimed a lot of horses," Lewis said.

     "I've been admiring this horse for two years, and he came up in a claiming race and I seized the opportunity. He had some shin problems early in his life.  They'd been treated, and I just got lucky and claimed him at the right time."

     Buddy of Mine has since won two allowance races at Los Alamitos, an allowance at the San Mateo County Fair, a stakes race at Santa Rosa and now a stakes at Los Alamitos.  Lewis said Buddy of Mine might run again next weekend at the Fresno District Fair.

     On Saturday Buddy of Mine won by 2 1/2-lengths in 1:41.23 over 3-2 second-choice Feeling Good, who was ridden by Tony Noguez for trainer Dean Frey, and Favoritt, also trained by Lewis and piloted by Charleen Hunt.  Feeling Good was also second to Buddy of Mine in stakes company at Santa Rosa.

     The Dates, who live in Las Vegas, have owned horses with Lewis for one and a half years.

     "They're good clients," Lewis said.  "When you suggest something they move on it."

     Indeed in three months Buddy of Mine has been able to move from the claiming ranks to the top of the Arabian division.

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