The Pan American Grade 3

1 1/2 on Turf Purse $150.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward

Gulfstream Park Hallandale Beach, Florida

Many angles to look at in The Pan American Stakes 2026 renewal. Most will probably land on our top pick; The Sidley Stud’s six-year-old Zero Free. Off since a grade 2 win at this distance where the turf meets the surf, “Free” only needs to break alertly to then establish himself early, something that he usually does at this elongated distance. The barn looks to have found the right spot if he is ready to roll off the layoff. Hackett from Nakamura Stables is a horse to pay close attention to at the windows Saturday. Purchased for over $300.000 at auction by a sharp outfit, he tries the marathon distance for the first time and might offer some value at the windows. If the farm works didn’t point to this distance, I doubt this barn would have signed him up here. All Star from Ashwood Farms can get the trip and is an outside fit on numbers. His last start, if true, would make him a pass for most. I will toss the effort and hope that he rebounds at this trip. Boss Spearman from John Henry has burned a ton of cash, for both ownership and the betting public, however, he showed signs of life last time in his first adventure on the sod. That race was also at a distance of ground. Only question mark, and it’s big and obvious, is how much the give in the track helped him as he has never been off the board in three wet track outings. Should save all the ground and come running up the rail late if he fires.

Of the rest;

Dont Ever Try It from Night Rider Stables is a storybook here, without question. Taken for a mere $5.000 back in June of last year, he was able to win a grade 3 at this distance on dirt and now switches back to turf where he is two for three in the win column. Stranger things have happened.

Pinewood Derby from Blazin D is a four-year-old colt with a few question marks in tow here coming off a dismal effort in his last start, hopefully because of the surface only. Picks a tough spot and distance to attempt beating older foes for the first time and will need a repeat and then some, of his Twilight Derby effort.

Green Flag from Aer Stables looks like a Hail Mary play to me by the barn. Taken at auction for close to $140.000, the six-year-old horse was previously in the small but powerful Spankys Barn, an outfit not known for breeding. After running three sub-par efforts, the barn placed him in the auction where a bidding war ensued, presumably for breeding. He now shows up here going the marathon distance for the first time. Not saying it can’t happen, just saying that I would be stunned.

Angel Star from Threshold is a seven-year-old with only eleven lifetime starts, most of which were in the bushes. He simply looks completely out of his element here.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES