Pan American

Saturday’s $150,000 Pan American H. (G3), a 1 1/2-mile turf event, shapes up
as a rematch of the top two finishers from the Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup S.
(G1). Although there are a couple of serious contenders exiting other races, we
think the Pan American exacta will have a deja vu quality about it.

EINSTEIN (Brz) (Spend a Buck), winner of the Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup in
his stakes debut last time out, rates as our top selection. After dueling for
the lead through slow fractions, he kicked for home and finished strongly,
always parrying the late thrust of GO DEPUTY (Deputy Minister). The Helen Pitts
charge has captured four of six career starts, and in his last two, posted 103
and 104 BRIS Speed ratings, respectively. What makes this colt particularly
appealing is his versatility: he was carving out the pace in his latest outing,
but he came from well back to break his maiden and score in an allowance. His
adaptability ensures that he’ll get a tactically advantageous trip under Rafael
Bejarano, who has ridden Einstein in all of his races. The Pitts-Bejarano tandem
is winning at a 31 percent clip.

The Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup runner-up, Go Deputy, ran a tremendous race
himself despite failing to overhaul Einstein. Prior to that, he was a troubled
second in the Mac Diarmida H. (G3), when he was irreparably compromised by
having to steady behind traffic on the far turn. Once free, he was closing best
of all and earned a 106 Speed figure for his effort. With John Velazquez aboard,
the Todd Pletcher trainee figures to unleash another ferocious rally in the
stretch.

The Bill Mott-conditioned SILVER WHISTLE (Alphabet Soup) is two
photo-finishes away from being a multiple graded stakes winner. Last year as a
three-year-old, he ended up on the wrong side of the head-bob in the National
Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) and the Saranac S. (G3), racking up a 113
Late Pace figure in the latter. In his 2006 debut in a 1 3/8-mile allowance, he
went down by only a head after being caught in tight quarters for much of the
trip. That race should set him up well for the extra furlong of the Pan
American, which given his one-run style, should pose no problem. The gray gets a
rider switch to Edgar Prado, who’s teaming up with Mott in the winner’s circle
at a 46 percent clip.

SABRE D’ARGENT (Kris S.), formerly campaigned by Godolphin, makes just his
second U.S. start in this spot for trainer Thomas Albertrani. The lightly raced
six-year-old has landed five of six lifetime, but it’s difficult to gauge his
class. He was a Group 3 winner in England in 2003 but didn’t beat anyone of
note. On the shelf for nearly two years, he returned to action last June to
capture an allowance at Doncaster in England, but again, he wasn’t facing the
best company, and he promptly went back to the sidelines. His successful
American debut doesn’t clue us in any further, as he won an off-the-turf
allowance at Tampa Bay Downs, earning a 101 Speed figure. Sabre d’Argent was
once well regarded, and he may put it all together here, but there’s precious
little to go on other than faith. Nevertheless, he could add some value to the
exotics. Javier Castellano will ride him for the first time.

SCOOTER ROACH (Mi Cielo) turned in one of his better efforts when third in
the W. L. McKnight H. (G2) at Calder last December, posting a 105 Speed figure
in his latest try at 1 1/2 miles. While he could factor in the gimmicks if he
duplicates that run, it’s worth noting that he’s never hit the board in six
starts at Gulfstream. BROADWAY VIEW (Broad Brush) was fifth in the Gulfstream
Park Breeders’ Cup, and there’s little evidence to suggest he’ll make an impact
here. GROUND HERO (Dynaformer) couldn’t win a $50,000 claimer last time.
RAMAZUTTI (Honor Grades) is likely entered as a pacemaker for stablemate Go
Deputy. EL DUQUE (Arg) (Distinct Reality) hasn’t shown much in his two North
American outings.