Pan American Stakes

6:06 pm - Race 13

Grade 2 Pan American Stakes
$200,000 - 1 1/2 Mile TURF

Designed For War (10/1) It would NOT be a shocking upset if this guy won this Grade 2 event, but it would be a surprise.  His lone win since a maiden victory in August 2014 - yes, 2014 - came in a photo finish last November in allowance company.  But last time out was his first time for a new trainer and he earned a new career best speed figure while finishing an even, close fourth.

Sadler's Joy (5/1) You have to say "pip, pip" and give kudos to this lightly raced son of champion Kitten's Joy.  After running strong speed figures in his first four starts without winning he finally broke through last August at the always tough to win at Saratoga meet.  He liked having his photo taken so much that he beat entry level allowance runners in his next start - very unusual in thoroughbred racing.  Then he beat 2nd level allowance runners in his NEXT start.  Those two races produced nearly identical new career best speed figures.  Given a break of ten weeks he made his next start in the Grade 2 William L. McKnight Invitational and came flying from the back to finish second, beaten a head at 8/1 odds behind Taghleeb, who's lined up in the gate next door.  Impressive, even more so considering Taghleeb was winning his third stakes in his last five starts, all vs. stakes company.  Might be good enough to take yet another step forward after earning yet another new career best speed figure.

Taghleeb (7/2) He's won two straight, both in stakes company here.  And after winning the two-mile Jerkens two back you KNOW he'll have no problem with the distance of a mile and a half today.  He's won three of his last five all in stakes, but you have to wonder how far he can carry this run as prior to this set of races he was on a losing streak of at least six starts dating back to December of 2015.

Snag (12/1) It's not often that you find Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez on a long shot, especially in a stakes race, most especially at Gulfstream.  But such is the case with this one who's only got a maiden win and has yet to run a figure good enough to be seriously considered here.  Note he was 40/1 against Taghleeb two back in the Jerkens and was a well beaten 6th.  But, it is Pletcher-Velazquez.

Patterson Cross (5/1) He was beaten back in September by today's rival Sadler's Joy so it's no surprise when he faced that one and Taghleeb in the Grade 3 McKnight that he was nearly 40/1.  But into the stretch he was in front!  Just missed holding on when third behind those two beaten a length.  He got a little more respect when sent off at 9/1 in the Grade 2 MacDiarmida last out and he came within a photo-finish head of beating Grade 1 winner Wake Forest.  Is in career form and maybe today's his day!  Love the fact he runs for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott (who I met in Tampa a couple of weeks ago!) and that he's earned identical 99 speed figures in his last two.  Often times when a horse "pairs" figures it's a sign of an impending big effort.

Reporting Star (5/1) His last victory came exactly one year ago when he won the Grade 3 Appleton going a mile on the turf, beating a horse by the name of Divisidero.  That guy - one of my favorites - came back to win the Grade 1 Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day for me and pay over $15!  But it's been a long time and he is a 7yo AND was the pace setter in the MacDiarmida last out before fading to be third, but it was a 3-way photo finish.  Castellano picks up the mount.

Montclair (6/1) Three back he was a surprising 2nd at 22/1 behind Sadler's Joy.  Two back he was a surprising 2nd to Taghleeb at 9/1 odds.  Last out he was 15/1 and ninth behind the both of them.  I'd be surprised.

Mr. Maybe (9/2) He's a five time turf winner for top turf conditioner Chad Brown.  And he's got a Grade 3 win on his resume.  AND he was the 3/1 post time favorite in the previously discussed Grade 3 McKnight but was way, WAY too far back for Castellano in one of many such ridden races this winter.  Gets his fourth jockey in as many races, and as a one-run deep closer he has to count on a fast pace and racing luck.  Not a fan of the outside post either.