Insights on the American Racing Scene for Dec. 3

2nd-GP, $42k, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 12:30 p.m. EDT

Todd Pletcher debuts a pair of firsters in this opening day spot, led by Joseph Allen and Coolmore's LE PIN (IRE) (War Front). Out of a French stakes-winning dam, the bay is a full-brother to MGSP War Envoy, while his third dam is 1988's GI Kentucky Derby heroine and champion 3-year-old filly Winning Colors (Caro). Le Pin has been legging up at Pletcher's Palm Beach Downs base, most recently going a bullet five furlongs there in 1:02 1/5 (1/6) Nov. 27. His uncoupled entrymate is WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and Maverick Racing's Expedition (Pioneerof the Nile). Purchased for $275,000 as a KEESEP yearling, the Ontario-bred is out of a multiple stakes-placed half-sister to 2010's Sovereign-winning 3-year-old Big Red Mike (Tenpins). His second dam is a half to MSW and leading Canadian sire Bold n' Flashy and GSW/GISP Flashy N Smart. Expedition also sports a bullet five-furlong breeze at Palm Beach Downs, covering the distance in 1:02 3/5 (1/6) Nov. 14. TJCIS PPs

8th-DMR, $52k, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 7:00 p.m. EDT

Bob Baffert will send out hot-working firster AMERICAN ANTHEM (Bodemeister) in here for China Horse Club and WinStar Farm. Bought for $180,000 as a KEESEP yearling, the bay commanded $435,000 at OBS March after breezing one furlong in :10 1/5. Out of a half-sister to 1998's champion 3-year-old filly and five-time Grade I winner Banshee Breeze (Unbridled), American Anthem has earned the bullet in four of his last five works, closing out his preparation with a half-mile move in :47 flat (1/29) Nov. 29 at Santa Anita. Baffert will also be represented by Kaleem Shah's Iliad (Ghostzapper">Ghostzapper), a half to MGSW Melmich (Wilko) who hammered down for $285,000 at OBS March after covering a quarter-mile in :20 4/5. Reddam Racing's So Conflated (Eskendereya) also merits a look, having worked a sizzling five furlongs from the gate in :58 2/5 (1/12) at Los Alamitos Nov. 9. The gray is out of a full-sister to MGSW Leah's Secret. TJCIS PPs@JBiancaTDN

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