Churn N Burn Levels Up for Pan American Score
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Churn N Burn wins the Pan American Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Lothenbach Stables' Churn N Burn, making his 10th career start and first in a stakes, was left alone on the lead and had plenty left to turn back all challengers March 27 in the $200,000 Pan American Stakes Presented by Rood & Riddle (G2T) at Gulfstream Park.
The 4-year-old Liam's Map gelding dug in and was clear by 2 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/2-mile turf test for 4-year-olds and up to give jockey Julien Leparoux his third Pan American win, following Sadler's Joy in 2017 and Newsdad in 2012. Trainer Ian Wilkes won the race with Bearpath in 2010.
"He's got a high cruising speed, and especially on this track, he can carry it a little and run a little quicker and keep on going," Wilkes said. "I was actually glad no one went with him. He was on his own, so that was good. I was very happy."
Leparoux was able to maneuver Churn N Burn to the lead from outermost post 8 and settle into comfortable fractions of :24.07, :48.25, and 1:12.55, with 93-1 long shot Angelus Warrior and 8-5 favorite Cross Border in closest pursuit, the latter saving ground inside.
Sadler's Joy and jockey Jose Ortiz began to roll on the far outside around the turn to get into a contending position, but Churn N Burn dug in through the lane once set down to earn his second straight win over the Gulfstream turf. He captured a 1 1/2-mile allowance optional claimer Feb. 11 by 3 3/4 lengths.
Saturday's winning time was 2:23.63 over a firm course.
"That was a nice win," Leparoux said. "We tried to be on the lead and get him to relax, so we were happy with that. The main thing with him is to start get going before they get to you, so I asked him around the three-eighths pole and he finished up very strong."
Gun Runner Dueling Grounds Derby winner Moon Over Miami, exiting a third in the Feb. 27 Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream, got up for second over Cross Border, most recently third in the Jan. 23 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T). Grade 1-winning multi-millionaire Sadler's Joy was fourth, with 32-1 long shot Sir Sahib fifth.
Churn N Burn, purchased as a yearling from Eaton Sales in 2018 for $255,000 at The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected sale of yearlings in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has a record of 3-2-2 from 10 lifetime starts. The winner's share of $120,280 nearly doubled his career bankroll to $250,450.
Wilkes said future plans for his newest graded stakes winner are undetermined.
"I'll see how he comes out," he said. "We may look at a race at Keeneland; if not, we'll look at something else. First thing, we'll check that he's OK. Enjoy today and then we'll have a look at it.
"It's great for (owner) Bob Lothenbach, too," Wilkes added. "He puts a lot of money into the game and it's well-deserved."