# Pan American Stakes

The Pan American Stakes is a Grade II American Thoroughbred horse race for horses that are four years or older held over a distance of one and one-half miles (twelve furlongs) on the turf usually scheduled annually in late March as an under card event on Florida Derby day at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.

## History

The inaugural running of the event was on Pan American Day, 14 April 1962, as the Pan American Handicap over one and one-eighth miles distance on the dirt and was easily won by Brae Burn Farm's talented six year old mare Shirley Jones who was ridden by Larry Gilligan defeating nine other starters in a time of 1:511⁄5 by five lengths.
The event was inspired to be an attraction for horses from both North and South America and this seemed to be a success as in the first eleven runnings of the event four winners were bred in Argentina and one in Chile. Until 1971 the event was held on the last day of the Gulfstream Park Meeting which would be in mid-April and thus the event would be scheduled close to the Pan American Day festivities.
In 1965 the event's distance was modified to its present one and a half mile on the turf with the purse doubled to $50,000 added.
In 1973 the first year the classification system was enacted, the event was set with Grade II status with the Canadian bred Lord Vancouver victorious by 21⁄2 lengths.
In the 1970s the event started to attract European bred long distance runners. In 1977 the French bred Gravelines set a new track record for the distance at Gulfstream Park. In 1979 the British bred Noble Dancer continued his outstanding long distance form carrying 129 pounds as the topweight after winning the G1 United Nations Handicap the previous year. The Irish bred filly Little Bonny managed an upset victory as a 20-1 longshot in 1981 although having fine form from Europe finishing second in the G1 Irish Oaks and second in the G1 Prix Vermeille (French Oaks).
In 1983 the event was upgraded to Grade I and that year the event was run split divisions, the only time that the race was split.
In 1990 the event was downgraded to a Grade II race and once more to Grade III in 2006.
In 2009 the event's conditions were changed from handicap to stakes allowance with name of race changed to the Pan American Stakes.
The event was reclassified as Grade II in 2012 and with the exception of the 2015 when it was downgraded to Grade III continues this status today.
Due to inclement wet weather the event has been moved off the turf track three times. The 1975 running was shifted to the dirt track and was run at a mile and a half distance on the main track. In 1989 and 2009 the event was run at the shorter 1+1⁄4 miles distance when it was moved off the turf.
In 2013, Twilight Eclipse set a world record for 1+1⁄2 miles by winning the Pan American in a final time of 2:22.63. This time lowered the world record mark set just one week earlier at Santa Anita Park by Bright Thought in the San Luis Rey Handicap.

## Records

Time record:
* 1+1⁄2 miles – 2:22.63 – Twilight Eclipse (2013)
Margins:
* 11 lengths – Mi Selecto (1989)
Most wins:
* 2 – Fraise (1993, 1994)
* 2 – Buck's Boy (1998, 2000)
* 2 – Quest Star (2003, 2004)
* 2 – Newsdad (2012, 2014)
Most wins by a trainer:
* 6 – William I. Mott (1991, 1993, 1994, 2006, 2012, 2014)
Most wins by a jockey:
* 3 – Jorge Velasquez (1978, 1982, 1992)
* 3 – Earlie Fires (1967, 1987, 1998)
* 3 – Mike E. Smith (1994, 1996, 1999)
* 3 – Edgar S. Prado (2000, 2003, 2006)
* 3 – Julien R. Leparoux (2012, 2017, 2021)
* 3 – Irad Ortiz Jr. (2015, 2019, 2023)
Most wins by an owner:
* 2 - Bertram R. Firestone (1974, 1991)
* 2 - Madeleine A. Paulson (1993, 1994)
* 2 – Quarter B Farm (1998, 2000)
* 2 - Mansell Stables (2003, 2004)
* 2 - James S. Karp (2012, 2014)
* 2 - Michael Dubb (2023, 2024)

## Winners

| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Purse | Grade | Ref |
| Pan American Stakes |||||||||||
| 2024 | Kertez (GB) | 6 | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | Michael Dubb, Morris Bailey & West Point Thoroughbreds | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.93 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2023 | Therapist | 8 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Michael J. Maker | Michael Dubb | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.22 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2022 | Gufo | 5 | Joel Rosario | Christophe Clement | Otter Bend Stables | abt. 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.28 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2021 | Churn N Burn | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Ian Wilkes | Lothenbach Stables | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:23.63 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2020 | Bemma's Boy | 5 | Florent Geroux | Michael J. Maker | Paradise Farms | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.91 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2019 | Focus Group | 5 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Chad C. Brown | Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.03 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2018 | Hi Happy (ARG) | 6 | Luis Saez | Todd A. Pletcher | La Providencia | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:23.85 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2017 | Sadler's Joy | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | Thomas Albertrani | Woodslane Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.89 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2016 | Kaigun | 6 | Joe Bravo | Mark E. Casse | Quintessential Racing, Horse'n Around Racing Stable & Gary Barber | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.20 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2015 | Imagining | 7 | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Claude R. McGaughey III | Phipps Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.32 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2014 | Newsdad | 6 | Joel Rosario | William I. Mott | James S. Karp | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:22.77 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2013 | Twilight Eclipse | 4 | Javier Castellano | Thomas Albertrani | West Point Thoroughbreds | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:22.63 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2012 | Newsdad | 4 | Julien R. Leparoux | William I. Mott | James S. Karp | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.93 | $142,500 | II | |
| 2011 | Rahy's Attorney | 7 | Emma-Jayne Wilson | Ian Black | Ellie Boje Farm, Mitch Peters, Dean Read & Jim MacLellan | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.85 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2010 | Bearpath | 4 | Frederic Lenclud | Ian R. Wilkes | Lothenbach Stables | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:32.60 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2009 | Buddy's Humor | 5 | Jose Lezcano | Bruce N. Levine | Eli Lomita | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:02.64 | $147,000 | III | Off turf |
| Pan American Handicap |||||||||||
| 2008 | Presious Passion | 5 | Ariel Smith | Mary Hartmann | Patricia A. Generazio | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.15 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2007 | Jambalaya | 5 | Javier Castellano | Catherine Day Phillips | Kingfield Racing Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.98 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2006 | Silver Whistle | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | William I. Mott | Stronach Stables | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.35 | $150,000 | III | |
| 2005 | Navesink River | 4 | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Char-Mari Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.95 | $150,000 | II | |
| 2004 | Quest Star | 5 | Pat Day | W. Elliott Walden | Mansell Stables | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.46 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2003 | Quest Star | 4 | Edgar S. Prado | W. Elliott Walden | Mansell Stables | abt. 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.45 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2002 | Deeliteful Irving | 4 | Christopher P. DeCarlo | Todd A. Pletcher | Anstu Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.14 | $200,000 | II | |
| 2001 | Whata Brainstorm | 4 | John R. Velazquez | James E. Picou | John Eaton & Steve Laymon | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:23.75 | $250,000 | II | |
| 2000 | Buck's Boy | 7 | Edgar S. Prado | P. Noel Hickey | Quarter B Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.80 | $250,000 | II | |
| 1999 | Unite's Big Red | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Randy Mills | Break Away Racing Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:23.15 | $250,000 | II | |
| 1998 | Buck's Boy | 5 | Earlie Fires | P. Noel Hickey | Quarter B Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:23.43 | $250,000 | II | |
| 1997 | Flag Down | 7 | Jose A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Allen E. Paulson | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.08 | $300,000 | II | |
| 1996 | Celtic Arms (FR) | 5 | Mike E. Smith | Ben D. A. Cecil | Gary A. Tanaka | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.71 | $300,000 | II | |
| 1995 | Awad | 5 | Eddie Maple | David G. Donk | Ryehill Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.44 | $300,000 | II | |
| 1994 | Fraise | 6 | Mike E. Smith | William I. Mott | Madeleine A. Paulson | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.65 | $300,000 | II | |
| 1993 | Fraise | 5 | Pat Valenzuela | William I. Mott | Madeleine A. Paulson | abt. 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:32.86 | $300,000 | II | |
| 1992 | Wall Street Dancer | 4 | Jorge Velasquez | Niall M. O'Callaghan | John D. Gunther | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.53 | $350,000 | II | |
| 1991 | Phantom Breeze (IRE) | 5 | Julie Krone | William I. Mott | Bertram R. Firestone | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.55 | $300,000 | II | |
| 1990 | My Big Boy | 7 | Heberto Castillo Jr. | Claude R. McGaughey III | Heidi Doubleday | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.20 | $300,000 | II | |
| 1989 | Mi Selecto | 4 | Jose A. Santos | Eduardo Azpurua Sr. | Wilfredo Agusti Jr. | 1+1⁄4 miles | 2:01.60 | $300,000 | I | Off turf |
| 1988 | ƒ Carotene (CAN) | 5 | Don James Seymour | Roger L. Attfield | Kinghaven Farms | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.00 | $300,000 | I | |
| 1987 | Iroko (GB) | 5 | Earlie Fires | Thomas J. Skiffington | Fernwood Stables | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.40 | $250,000 | I | |
| 1986 | ƒ Powder Break | 5 | Santiago B. Soto | Luis Olivares | Robert I. Green | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.00 | $300,000 | I | |
| 1985 | Selous Scout (CAN) | 4 | Robin Platts | Roger L. Attfield | Double Eagle Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.20 | $304,500 | I | |
| 1984 | Tonzarun | 6 | Herb McCauley | John R. Thomas | Don Everett | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.80 | $178,975 | I | |
| 1983 | Highland Blade | 5 | Jacinto Vasquez | David A. Whiteley | Pen-Y-Bryn Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.20 | $133,825 | I | Division 1 |
| 1983 | Field Cat | 6 | Jean-Luc Samyn | William E. Burch | Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:29.60 | $136,825 | I | Division 2 |
| 1982 | Robsphere | 5 | Jorge Velasquez | Richard R. Root | Harry T. Mangurian Jr. | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.00 | $170,250 | II | |
| 1981 | ƒ Little Bonny (IRE) | 4 | Eddie Maple | J. Bert Sonnier | Owen Helman | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:32.40 | $186,200 | II | |
| 1980 | ƒ Flitalong | 4 | Ramon I. Encinas | Angel Penna Sr. | Ogden Mills Phipps | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.40 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1979 | Noble Dancer II (GB) | 7 | Jacinto Vasquez | Thomas J. Kelly | Haakon Fretheim | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.20 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1978 | Bowl Game | 4 | Jorge Velasquez | John M. Gaver Jr. | Greentree Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:30.20 | $150,000 | II | |
| 1977 | Gravelines (FR) | 5 | Jerry D. Bailey | Neal J. Winick | Mrs. Maribel G. Blum & Mrs. Robert Harpinau | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:24.80 | $134,200 | II | |
| 1976 | Improviser | 4 | Jean Cruguet | John J. Weipert | Elmendorf Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.60 | $144,800 | II | |
| 1975 | Buffalo Lark | 5 | Larry Snyder | Joseph M. Bollero | Rogers Red Top | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:27.60 | $140,200 | II | Off turf |
| 1974 | London Company | 4 | Angel Cordero Jr. | LeRoy Jolley | Bertram R. Firestone | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.40 | $141,200 | II | |
| 1973 | Lord Vancouver (CAN) | 5 | Walter Blum | Frank H. Merrill Jr. | W. Preston Gilbride | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.60 | $139,200 | II | |
| 1972 | Unanime (ARG) | 5 | Heliodoro Gustines | Harry Trotsek | Hasty House Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.60 | $140,600 | | |
| 1971 | Chompion | 6 | Michael Hole | Joe Kulina | Colonial Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:25.60 | $106,100 | | |
| 1970 | One for All | 4 | Craig Perret | Horatio Luro | John A. Bell III | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.80 | $97,600 | | |
| 1969 | Hibernian (GB) | 4 | Pete Anderson | Woody Stephens | James Cox Brady Jr. | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:28.40 | $62,600 | | |
| 1968 | Irish Rebellion | 4 | Angel Cordero Jr. | Conn McCreary | Mac-Con Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.40 | $67,700 | | Dead heat |
| 1968 | ‡ Estreno II (ARG) | 7 | David Hidalgo | David Sazer | Robert Ballis | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.40 | $67,700 | | Dead heat |
| 1967 | War Censor | 4 | Earlie Fires | S. Bryant Ott | Fourth Estate Stable | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.00 | $66,500 | | |
| 1966 | Pillanlelbun (CHI) | 5 | Fernando Toro | Roger N. Guerini | Walnut Hill Farm | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.40 | $60,600 | | |
| 1965 | Cool Prince | 5 | Bill Hartack | William A. Larue | William G. Helis Jr. | 1+1⁄2 miles | 2:26.40 | $65,200 | | |
| 1964 | † Babington (ARG) | 5 | Ray Broussard | Arnold N. Winick | John M. Olin | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.60 | $25,000 | | |
| 1963 | Sensitivo (ARG) | 6 | Howard Grant | Arnold N. Winick | Mr. & Mrs. Ralph F. Bensinger | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:50.00 | $20,000 | | |
| 1962 | ƒ§ Shirley Jones | 6 | Larry Gilligan | James W. Smith | Brae Burn Farm | 1+1⁄8 miles | 1:51.20 | $20,000 | | |
Legend:
 Turf  Dirt
Notes:
§ Ran as an entry
ƒ Filly or Mare
† In the 1964 running of the event Doctor Hank K. was first past the post but was disqualified to seventh after stewards ruled that he caused interference in the running. Babington (ARG) was declared the winner.
‡ Estrano II (ARG) was a field entry with Templatio II (CHI) and Mohamed (CHI)