Pan American Stakes Draws Elite Field
By: Michael Amo, ThoroFan Chairman
Gulfstream Park is one of the few tracks to run in the midst
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This weekend it will host, as planned, the Florida
Derby absent of fans rooting their favorite on. The silence will be deafening.
As long as the coronavirus is managed correctly and the environment is safe, we
should have races tomorrow to enjoy.
The Kitten’s Joy Pan American Stakes (GII) is one of 10
graded stakes races on Saturday’s card of which only one is a grade I race –The
Florida Derby.
The Kitten’s Joy has a prohibitive favorite, Zulu Alpha with
a Morning Line odds of 3-5. He loves Gulfstream Park registering back-to-back
wins with Beyer Speed Figures of 106 and 107 respectively.
As I look at my assignment, I think, should I even bother?
Since we all remember huge upsets in big races, let’s proceed; here is the
field.
1. Channel Cat
(English Channel) is a formidable contender with excellent workouts and an
excuse for his last race. Yet in his last 12 starts, he won just once from the
“I” post –wire to wire. It is not likely this strategy will work in this race.
In the money, but not the winner.
2. Bemma’s Boy
(Into Mischief) is trained by Mike Maker who has three horses in the field of
nine. This one and Go Poke the Bear look like pace-setters for his big one Zulu
Alpha. With very little solid speed in the race, this may work.
3. Spooky
Channel (English Channel) eased last time against Zulu Alpha and works do
not show confidence he will do better.
4. Current
(Curlin) is scheduled to be ridden by Castellano who just tested positive for
COVID-19. Not sure if Jose will ride or Current will run. In either case not
the Pletcher “A Horse”.
5. Go Poke the
Bear (Kitten’s Joy) is trying graded company for the first time. Bred
nicely and showing improvement. Will need a few more before he is ready for
this level.
6. Galleon
Mast (Mizzen Mast) ran second in a grade three race at Gulfstream two years
ago. He has been competitive at a lower level. Not likely to be much of a
factor.
7. Prince of
Arabia (Mineshaft) has tried this level and higher before with little
success. Gets a jock who really knows the track. His running style may position
him for piece and more if pace sets up for his quick foot in the stretch.
8. Manicomio
(Include) not much to show except his speed out of the gate. He will set the
pace for as far as he can go. Expect no more.
9. Zulu Alpha
(Street Cry) he comes into this race on the Dean’s list from Beyers, Thorograph
and 2020 record. This is his race to lose. His last two running styles will be
compromised if the pace comes up too slow. But he might be too good in this
field to make a difference.
10. Focus Group
(Kitten’s Joy) has been having trouble of late. Last made the Winner’s Circle a
year ago. Gets new trainer. Leaving Chad Brown for Clement who is not great
first out with new horse. He is major closer with a liking for winning off a
long layoff. Will Clement get that done?
Handicapping this race shows my ability to ignore personal
bias. I have supported Zulu Alpha many times over his career. Going into the
race he looked like a single in a Pick-4 for me. Then the pace factor surfaced.
With a slow pace up front, he will have to move up in position to be
successful. PPs suggest this not in his toolbox. Then again, he may so much
better than the rest that pace is a non-issue. What to do?
I think the two Maker horses and Manicomio will try to give
Zulu Alpha the pace to run into. If Channel Maker tries to join them, they all
may fail. The long-shot Prince of Arabia will follow the speedster hoping for
an opportunity to accelerate when the leaders back-up. If Panici times it
perfectly he should take over the lead inside the eighth pole bracing for the
on-slot of closers. How exciting!
Results:
1. #9 Zulu Alpha
2. #7 Prince of
Arabia
3. # 10 Focus
Group
4. #1 Channel
Maker
Handigamble ($100)
$4 Trifecta Box: #1, # 7, #9 and #10 = $96
$2 Exacta Box: #7
and # 9 = $ 4
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