Fell in love with this colt from Turkey during the Dubai Racing Carnival in 2010. I would really love to see him come to America for one of the Breeders Cup turf races. He had a fantastic carnival at Meydan. I think the only mistake Pan River made in Dubai was that he missed a shot at a big payday by opting to race 12 furlongs in the Dubai Sheema Classic. A race he certainly wasn't disgraced in. But did finish a well beaten 7th. Pan River's connections should have opted for the Dubai Duty Free with this colt at 9 furlongs. Pan River had already raced the Duty Free winner, Al Shemali, earlier during the carnival in the Gulf News Broadcasting Handicap, and destroyed Al Shemali. He than ran in the 12 furlong Dubai City of Gold. Where he was just nosed out by Campanologist. But what Pan River's connections failed to realize, IMO, was that the Sheema Classic had much better 12 furlong horses being entered in the race than Campanologist. Horses like Dar Re Mi, Buena Vista, Spanish Moon, and Cavalryman. Pan River ran well in the Sheema Classic. But just wasn't good enough to beat those kind's of horses at 12 furlongs. Whereas, had he ran in the Dubai Duty Free. I think he would've been the colt that stopped Al Shemali from running away from the Duty Free field for the win. Bankable ran a creditable 2nd in the Duty Free. But was beaten rather easily by Al Shemali. The way Pan River had already handled Al Shemali easily earlier in carnival. I believe this colt could've, and would've won the Dubai Duty Free had he raced in it instead of the Sheema Classic. JMO.
Pan River look's to be quite a speedy colt. With a very good turn of foot. He may have been one of the bigger surprise horses in Dubai in 2010. Few knew much about Pan River having come from Turkey. He looked really impressive in his first two races at Meydan. I think the 1-1/2 trip in the Sheema Classic may have been a little too far for Pan River. He probably would have been much better suited, and probably could have ultimately finished much better had he raced in the Dubai Duty Free. IMO.