American St Leger scouting report: Panama Hat

Panama Hat was a progressive handicapper in Ireland last season for vet-turned- trainer Andy Oliver, reeling off five straight wins and coming within a neck of making it six. Spotting 13 pounds to winner, needless to say, made all the difference.

With his rating becoming too high for the handicap game, the Team Valor International runner accordingly has taken a class hike into stakes company in 2015. Concomitant with that is a step up into the staying ranks, with mixed results. A tiring fifth behind Forgotten Rules in his reappearance in the May 17 Vintage Crop (G3), he was just denied as the 3-1 favorite in the June 5 Saval Beg at Leopardstown. Watch (starting at 4:14) how he pounces to the lead, only to be nailed by Kingfisher late in the 1 3/4-mile test:

 

That looked even better after Kingfisher went on to finish an unlucky second in the Ascot Gold Cup (G1). Panama Hat didn't fare as well next time, trailing in a subpar last in the Curragh Cup (G3).

Oliver decided to add blinkers for the July 6 Lenebane S. at Roscommon. On the cutback in trip to 1 1/2 miles, Panama Hat mowed them down in a last-to-first move: