Stayers' Watch: Pan American Stakes, Tokyo City Cup · 2.04.11

Two long-distance races last Saturday — one on turf, the other on dirt — receive a somewhat belated review here.

Rahy’s Attorney, stretching out to 1 1/2 miles for the first time in his career, scored a mild upset in the Pan American Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park. Having been beaten by Prince Will I Am in the Mac Diarmida Stakes in February, he turned the tables on that rival in the Pan American. The 7-year-old Canadian-bred gelding won by 3/4-lengths over Musketier, with Prince Will I Am finishing third.

Rahy’s Attorney stalked the pace closely from right out of the gate, pressing pacesetter Beckham Bend through fractions of :24.41, :48.12, 1:12.12, and 1:37.17. The two opened up a five-length lead at one point. Rahy’s Attorney took the lead on the final turn, and was able to off Musketier through the stretch. Final time on the firm turf course: 2:25.85.

On the other side of the continent, at Santa Anita, another horse trying a stayer’s distance for the first time scored in the Tokyo City Cup (gr. III). In the way it developed the race was almost a repeat of the Pan American. Ex-claimer Worth Repeating pressed the pace set by Arcodoro through a mile in 1:38.69, then took the lead on the final turn. By the eighth-pole he had extended his lead to two lengths, and then had enough left to hold off a late charge by Honour the Deputy, who closed well from last place to finish second. Spurrier finished third. Final time on the fast main track: 2:29.23.

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