The Pan American – Grade II
1 1/2 Mile Inner Turf Stake Purse $200.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st Cheveley Park Mo Mentum Farm Franco M

As I mentioned in the preview, I felt this one may have been the dark horse in this race mainly because of his very strong dirt form. The surface seems to mean very little to most of our digital horses, so it is important to look at the form as a whole which can make finding any consistency in the form very difficult but also gives some lucrative options to the punters. I had seen a few deep closers win today and as the race engine seems to go in cycles, I wasn’t too worried when he dropped some way off the pace. As they raced past halfway, he began to make ground and won in the end by a handy length eclipsing his run in the Razorback last time. I guess the question will be where next for the trainer? With a recent 1.36 and 2 mile work on the dirt, he looks good enough to compete on the main track but with this performance, will they stick with the long-distance turf races? Whatever happens this was a nice win, and he looks like he can be a force in these types of races going forward.

2nd Afterburner Arindel Hernandez C J

Held a good position in transit and when he hit the front coming into the stretch it looked like he had timed his effort to perfection, however, in the end it was the closer that got him. His finishing speed has been a problem throughout his career, he is a real grinder who is susceptible to a horse with a turn of foot and that is what happened again today.

3rd Neds Influence The Sidley Stud Beschizza A

Looked to be moving well through the home turn and a third win in a row looked possible but as they hit the stretch, he just flattened out a little and I wonder whether this was just a bit too far for him. He lost nothing in defeat though and looks to be improving nicely.

4th Winter Solstice Mb Stables Alvarado F T

Maybe he just got a little bit up on the bit from the wide draw and just had nothing left at the end after working so hard early on. I don’t think this was a sign that he can’t compete at age 8, I just feel it was a tough ask to sit wide and try and chase the pace where he has looked more comfortable when ridden with a bit more restraint in the past.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES