The Pan American – Grade II
GP   Race #13   1 1/2m   InTurf   Graded Stake
Purse $200.000  For Four Year Olds And Upward.

1 Aggravation, trained by Mb Stables
Won the grade one Secretariat Stakes last year so this trip will hold no fears for the four year old. After two average efforts he then stormed home in the BC turf mile to be fourth beaten just a half length so whilst a little inconsistent he clearly has a tough of class. He looked set for a good season when winning his first race of the year at SA and with super strong works he looks a great entry for the champion trainer.

2 Keep Silent, trained by Nakamura Stables
He was having a good year last season winning the Marine on the dirt and getting close in the Pegasus on the same surface. He then switched to turf and showed his versatility with a good third in the Read Stakes and after a wide draw killed his chances in the Shadwell he was very narrowly beaten in the Commonwealth Turf. Going on his seasonal debut at GP he may be better on this grass and he has a decent chance of getting in the frame.

3 Tucson, trained by Aer Stables
Now an eight year old he won the Sword Dancer last year over this trip so will stay every yard of this race. He ran well enough in the Diarmida to suggest he has a few more miles on the clock and with the stable in form yu cant write the veteran off.

4 Exactly As Planned, trained by Maxmillion Farm
The winner of last seasons Pacific Classic and a closing third in the BC Turf he is probably the most accomplished horse in the race. He was a length in front of Tuscon in the Diarmida when third and if he can time his late run right could be a real winning hope for another in form trainer.

5 Chrystal Pip, trained by Mb Stables
Behind Exactly As planned in both the Pacific Classic and the BC Turf he won three grade ones last year including the Man O War and the Hirsch on this surface. Clearly a classy sort he did all right after a break to run third on the dirt in the San Antonio but a switch back to turf and a marathon trip will see him run his best race. Another top entry from the stable.

6 Carnival O Wow, trained by Oval Express Farms
An up and coming sort he won the Seabiscuit Handicap last year after a relatively brief career. I liked the way he ran on to be fifth just beaten a length in the Diarmada and that run and his proximity to Exactly As Planned give him an upset chance in this race.

7 Steel Kip, trained by John Henry
Bought cheaply at auction this eight year old was fourth in last years BC Turf and ran a cracker on seasonal debut to take the McKnight Handicap after making all the running from a wide gate. He gets the same opportunity here and if he wins could prove to be the buy of the year so far.

8 Spotted Cat, trained by Blushing Meadows
This little fella has promised so much in his career but rarely gets the breaks he deserves. Normally a deep closer he went off on the pace after the wide gate spat him into the front in last years Sword Dancer and very nearly won that race failing by just a neck. I am not sure what todays wide draw will do for him but of he goes back and trails he will be storming through late and if it spits him out he may be tough from the pace. Whatever happens if he stays clear of trouble he could run a big race.

SUMMARY
Every horse has a chance in this race but if you draw lines around all the form then Exactly As Planned just comes out on top. The Mb Stables entries will be right in it as well but to be honest you would be hard pushed to select anything with much confidence.

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES