Sadler's Joy Seeks a Return to Top Form in Pan American

Four years after earning the first graded stakes victory of his long career in the same race, Woodslane Farm's grade 1 winner Sadler's Joy returns seeking to snap a nine-race losing streak in the March 27 $200,000 Pan American Stakes Presented by Rood and Riddle (G2T) at Gulfstream Park.

The 8-year-old Sadler's Joy is, by far, the richest horse in the 1 1/2 mile turf contest with a bankroll of more than $2.6 million from 35 starts, with seven wins, four seconds, and 11 thirds. All but one of the grade 1 winner's last 29 races have come in graded stakes, his most recent win coming in the Red Smith Stakes (G3T) at Aqueduct Racetrack in the fall of 2019.

 Sadler's Joy won the Pan American in 2017 and was fourth in 2018, but did not run in either of the past two years as trainer Tom Albertrani has looked to spread out his stable star's races. The Kitten's Joy  horse has started once this year, rallying late to get up for fourth in the Jan. 23 W.L. McKnight (G3T) over this turf course.

"He's doing as well as ever, so hopefully, we'll get another good trip out of him and go from there," Albertrani said. "We just keep him on a regular routine, training-wise. You look at his work tab and you don't see the fancy, fast works or anything; just normal, kind of routine works just to keep him ticking over between races."

Last year, Sadler's Joy went 0-for-8 with four thirds, including the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1T) and Manhattan Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park, and was disqualified from first to fourth for interference in the Bowling Green Stakes (G2T).

"If he wasn't in the barn, it'd be pretty strange. When that day comes, it's going to be a sad day when we don't see him walking down the shedrow anymore," Albertrani said. "He puts up a game effort every single time, whether he gets beat a neck or a head in so many of these close races. And it's only because of his running style that prevents him from getting up in time. We just need to get everything to work, as always."

Jose Ortiz is named to ride from Post 3 in the field of eight.

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who has won the Pan American six times, including twice with the same horse, Fraise (1993, 1994) and Newsdad (2012, 2014), will send out Summer Wind Equine's stakes-winning homebred Moon Over Miami.

The 4-year-old son of Malibu Moon scored his biggest win three starts back in the Sept. 10 Gun Runner Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs prior to a disappointing effort in the Oct. 3 Belmont Derby Invitational (G1T) to cap his sophomore season.

In his lone start this year, Moon Over Miami overcame traffic trouble to get up for third by a nose over fellow Pan American foe Temple in the Feb. 27 Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T).

Junior Alvarado rides from Post 7 at co-topweight of 122 pounds.

"His last race was at 1 3/8 miles, and he was finishing up very well when he finally got out, which was a little late in the game. He came running and got up for third and deserves a chance in the Pan American," said Mott. "I think he's going to turn into a useful horse going that trip."

Trainer Mike Maker sends out a pair of contenders in the Pan American in Cross Border and Temple. Three Diamonds Farm's Cross Border exits a strong third behind Colonel Liam and Largent in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T) Jan. 23 at Gulfstream. Colonel Liam came back to win the Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2T) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 20.

"He ran another big race last time and was flattered the other day by Colonel Liam," Maker said. "We expect another strong effort from him."

Tyler Gaffalione gets the riding assignment from Post 1.

Paradise Farm Corp.'s Temple was fourth last time out in the Mac Diarmida following a runner-up effort in the W.L McKnight.

Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call from Post 2.

Entries: Pan American S. Presented by Rood and Riddle (G2T)

Gulfstream Park, Saturday, March 27, 2021, Race 10

• Grade IIT
• 1 1/2m
• Turf
• $200,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 4:09 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Cross Border (NY)	Tyler Gaffalione	122	Michael J. Maker	3/1
2	2Temple (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	118	Michael J. Maker	7/2
3	3Sadler's Joy (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	120	Thomas Albertrani	5/2
4	4Rijeka (IRE)	Javier Castellano	118	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	15/1
5	5Angelus Warrior (KY)	Leonel Reyes	118	Alexis Delgado	20/1
6	6Sir Sahib (KY)	Edgard J. Zayas	118	Jose Corrales	8/1
7	7Moon Over Miami (KY)	Junior Alvarado	122	William I. Mott	5/1
8	8Churn N Burn (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	118	Ian R. Wilkes	8/1