The Pan American – Grade II
GP   Race #8   1 1/2m   InTurf   Graded Stake
Purse $200.000  For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Smokinngrinnin, trained by Wolfs Den
This five year old has 12 wins from 27 starts which is a very nice record but he has yet to look
like breaking through at this level. Having said that he has one huge advantage and that his his last start
was a career best and that is a pretty important thing. That run was in the grade two Diarmida and he ran
on very strongly at the end of the marathon trip to dead heat for fourth. That effort was very nice and was
his first real attempt at an extreme distance and bodes very well as he takes on a mile and a half today.
I think this may turn out to be one of those late improving types and i give him a very good chance in this
open looking contest.

2 War Scent, trained by Mb Stables
Well for everything i have just written about Smokinngrinnin i have to say the same about this one and add
some more as well. The Hirsch Turf Classic winner, he then ran a blinder in the BC Turf when flying late for third.
Those two runs put him very near the top of the turf routing division and it doesnt look like he has lost too much
of that ability in his start to this season. He scraped home in an Allowance on seasonal debut and then just failed
to reel in the winner in the Diarmida last time when a neck second and in front of Smokinngrinnin. This trip suits
him down to the ground and for me he is the most likely winner.

3 Vegas Viper, trained by Maxmillion Farm
This four year old has only raced nine times and although it took a while for him to break maidens he has never
looked back since. Staright after his maiden win he took the grade two Greenwood Cup and looked like a star in the
making. That opinion was further secured when he ran on late to be a close seventh in the BC Marathon but a poor end to the season saw his trainer change tack a little and start to look at his prospects on the turf. That change looked like
a great decsion when he took the Connelly Turf on seasonal debut with a hard closing effort over todays trip. He adds
an intrigueing piece to this puzzle today and could end up the surprise package.
4 Garibaldi, trained by Jerry Garcia Racing
Runner up in the LA and BC Derby and the winner of the HAW Derby as a three year old he looked a big prospect for
a lively four year old career at the end of last year. His seasonal debut was very good when dead heating in a
competitive GP overnight but his last start was almost too bad to be true and questions have to be asked for this
race. He switches back to the surface which saw him win the HAW Derby today and with a record of three wins from
five it mkes you wonder why this hasnt happened before. That last start is enough for me to pass him over today and
i would have to see a return to form to have renewed confidence in the rest of his career.
5 Tucson, trained by Aer Stables
This seven year old forty seven race veteran seems to have come to this level very late in life but there is
no denying his claims after he scraped home by a nose in the FG Handicap last time. I have said before that you
should always respect a horse in career best form and that is certianly the case with this old warrior and whilst
there are plenty with better form that him there are none that have won as many races.

6 Classical Composer, trained by Yahudi Stables
Last but not least is another that has come from obscurity. After being bought for just ten dollars he started to
improve and that improvement has seen him place at grade three level. On the face of it his draw represents his chances but i have picked the worst horse in the race to win before and it has so i couldnt rule him out the biggest shock win of the day.

SUMMARY
There is no good reason why War Scent shouldnt win this in a hack canter so he has to be my first choice. I think
Smokinngrinnin will run well along with Vegas Viper but the competition for places looks closer than the one for the win.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES