  Significant baryon over meson enhancement was measured at RHIC in the
intermediate transverse momentum range of $p_T=2-4$ GeV/$c$ ("baryon-meson
puzzle"). With STAR detector we were able to extend particle identification
towards higher transverse momentum offering further insights into the particle
production mechanisms at intermediate to high $p_T$. In this paper we present
results on charged pion, proton and anti-proton spectra and ratios at
intermediate to high $p_T$ exploiting the relativistic rise of the specific
ionization energy loss measured in the STAR Time Projection Chamber. These
measurements provide valuable information about the production mechanisms of
particles at intermediate $p_T$ in relativistic heavy ion collisions, e.g.
coalescence/recombination versus jet fragmentation.
