The Pan American – Grade II
GP Race #10 1 1/2m InTurf Graded Stake
Purse $250.000 For Four Year Olds And Upward.
After writing so much about the KYD races its nice to get away from a bunch of clones who are all working the same and beating each other to a race with real depth and some of the best turf racers in the game. Only seven runners but this will be a great contest.
1 The Ego Has Landed TwinTowersRacing Bejarano R
With the stars in this race is this up and coming four year old who is easy to overlook due to the strength of the race but has a chance in his own right. He took a long tme to break his maidens but since he has he has got better and better and comes here after a strong third in the FG Handicap. This sort of extreme trip is right up his alley but he has been quick enough to record a 1.09 and 1 6 furlong work so there is tactical speed there too. Not the best on paper but one that is improving with every race.
2 Techfluence The Sidley Stud Ortiz I Jr
This great six year old always starts the year well and has looked as good as ever this year winning his last two. He took this exact path last year winning the Connelly BC Turf and the Diarmida but last season he then came up a neck short in this race in finishing second. he has looked just as good this year and he will look to go one better. Interestingly he has been worked on the dirt in his last two but still worked faster than most dirt racers so it may be just a change of scenery that his trainer is experimenting with.
3 Purely Perfect Night Rider Stables Maragh Ro
This seven year old has won ten races and whilst he has yet to leave his ark at this level he is an honest sort and comes from that generation that enjoyed slower development. A multiple winner at lower grade he ran much better than his finishing position in the Pattison Canadian International last year but may be fighting for third in a race that has come up with two established turf stars.
4 By Design Mb Stables Pennington F
Like all the horses from the stable they seem to be able to put down lightening works at home regardless of how good they are and this one is no exception. His works certainly arent reflective of his two very poor efforts this year and its hard to figure out where his head is at at the moment. At his best as a three year old he may be in the fight for third but beyond that i cant give him much chance.
5 Steel Home Blazin D Roman E A
Winning his maiden in a sub 1.33 time and then placing third in the Twilight and winning the CC Emerald is pretty good but this one can throw the odd bad race and that messes up his form lines. If you look deeper however all of his truly poor efforts have come on an off track so if it stays dry today he may also be in the fight for third.
6 People Doubted Aml Racing Colon L H
This will be a great match between this horse and Techfluence. A dynamic front runner he was very dominant in the San Marcos on seasonal debut winning in a hack canter by two lengths a race which took me back to his even more impressive win in the Hirsch Turf Classic lst year. This is potentially the best turf horse in the game at the moment and it will be fascinating to see if he can lead throughout against a horse of Techluences caliber. Colon takes the ride which will negate the widish draw.
7 Lets Do It Big Boy RNP Stables Hernandez B J Jr
A cracking third in the BC Turf last year he went on to win the Fort Lauderdale at the end of the year and has been a great buy for his trainer. His two efforts this year have been OK without setting the world alight but this is a big race sort of horse and i wonder whether he can mix it up with the big two. He is favourite for third.
SUMMARY
I can see People Doubted going to the lead not only because of his style but also the wide draw may not give him a choice. Techluence will slot into midfield and then the fireworks will start in the stretch. As much as a like Techluence i cant see him having the legs to beat People Doubted today in what looks a two horse race.
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
