Determined Kaigun Edges Wake Forest in Pan American
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Gary Barber, Quintessential Racing Florida and Horse’n Around Racing Stable’s Kaigun ($7.60) ended his string of second-place finishes with a determined effort to edge Wake Forest in the final strides of the $200,000 Pan American Stakes (G2). It was the 6-year-old’s first victory since his success in the 2014 renewal of the Seabiscuit Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. He was coming off a runner-up display in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park Mar. 5 for trainer Mark Casse.
Patiently ridden by jockey Joe Bravo, Kaigun saved ground near the back of the pack for the opening mile of the 12-furlong Pan American. He took to the outside approaching the homestretch and charged down the center of the course. Wake Forest and jockey John Velazquez rallied up the rail and looked to have the finish line measured, but Kaigun continued on strongly to take it by a head. His final time for the 1 1/2-mile test was 2:29.20.
Grand Tito and St. Albans Boy finished third and fourth, respectively. The Pan American order of finish was completed by Jay Gatsby, Xaverian, Hello Don Julio, O’Prado Ole and Seeking Alpha.
Norm Casse (Assistant Trainer, Kaigun): “I think letting Joe ride him over and over, keeping a regular rider on him, has helped him. Joe said he’s learned a lot about him and a lot of times that can make a big difference. He rode a great race and it was very rewarding to have a horse like him win again. This is our last runner of the Championship Meet. I’m glad we ended it with a bang.”
Jockey Joe Bravo (Kaigun): “Ain’t it great to get out of second position? He makes my job easy. He’s a pretty cool horse. It’s a shame that he’s run second the last few times but each start you learn a little bit more. All those races they were learning experiences for today’s win. They had him ready to run. The last 70 yards, Johnny [Velazquez aboard Wake Forest] came running and I was like, ‘No!’”
Source: Gulfstream Park
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