While most of the field in Saturday’s $150,000
Pan
American S. (G3) was virtually lulled to sleep by the slow pace set by
Brother Nick (Malibu Moon), Lothenbach Stables’ BEARPATH (Dynaformer) refused to
hibernate. Tracking in second the whole way as Brother Nick clipped off
fractions of :26, :52 3/5, 1:18 2/5, 1:45 and 2:09 3/5, Bearpath’s proximity to
the leader allowed him to get the jump on his rivals, including 8-5 favorite
Never On Sunday (Fr) (Sunday Break [Jpn]), who valiantly tried to overcome the
tepid pace but fell three parts of a lengths short to the 19-1 longshot who
finished up 12 furlongs over the good Gulfstream Park turf in 2:32 3/5.
Bearpath returned $40.80, $15.60 and $9, while Never On Sunday paid $3.60 and
$3. Brother Nick, who was sent off at 11-1, hung tough until the final yards but
was only a neck behind the favorite at the finish. He gave back $7.20 after
finishing a length ahead of 8-5 second choice Winchester (Theatrical [Ire]). The
exotics were worth $177.20 (exacta), $1,521.60 (trifecta) and $6,106 (10-5-3-2
superfecta). After Winchester came Uncle Indy (A.P. Indy), Lemon Spice
(Langfuhr), Silver Mountain (Victory Gallop), Brass Hat (Prized) and Memorial
Maniac (Lear Fan). Expansion (Maria’s Mon) and main-track-only entrant Gabriel’s
Hill (A.P. Indy) were scratched.
Bearpath kicked off his career with eight straight losses, including two over
the Gulfstream turf last year, before earning a belated diploma at Ellis Park
going 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass last August. Victorious in an allowance over
the same course and distance in his next start, the gelding went unplaced in his
next two before taking a second-level allowance over the Churchill turf at 1 1/2
miles in November. Rested three months, he raced evenly throughout the February
28 Mac Diarmida S. (G2), finishing just over five lengths behind Presious
Passion (Royal Anthem) in fifth. With this initial stakes score under Frederic
Lenclud, who has guided Bearpath to all his wins, the bay has now earned
$184,630 from a line of 15-4-1-3.
Bred in Kentucky by Whisper Hill Farm and trained by Ian Wilkes, Bearpath was
a $170,000 Keeneland September yearling. He was produced from the unraced Song
‘N Silk (Unbridled’s Song), a three-quarter sister to Grade 3 winner Unbridled
Hope (Unbridled) and a half-sister to the stakes-winning Forestier (Forestry)
and Grade 2-placed Silent Fred (Louis Quatorze). The gelding’s fourth dam was
Grade 2 heroine Len’s Determined (More the Merrier).