As a $200,000-scored event, Peter Pan Stakes (G3) is a coveted race. It could also serve as a launch pad for an even more desirable contest: the Belmont Bet presented by NYRA Bets (G1) a few weeks later.
High Gun (1954), Gallant Man (1957), Cavan (1958), Coastal (1979), AP Indy (1992), and Tonalist (2014) hit the Peter Pan/Belmont double. Others ran well in Belmont after threatening during preparations, including Sir Winston who took the Belmont Stakes three years ago after a second in Peter Pan.
This year’s race, taking place on May 14 at Belmont Park, attracted eight runners, mostly up-and-coming athletes enjoying a pension or maiden victory. But a competitor, Golden roller coaster , has been a regular in the Road to Kentucky Derby this spring. After winning his first two starts, he finished fifth in Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3), and fourth in both the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1).
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Chestnut Ghostzapper colt, owned by Gary Barber and Manfred and Penny Conrad, cut a bit from Blue Grass 1/8 mile to race 1 1/16 mile in Peter Pan. His first win last fall on aggregate at Honeysuckle finished at 1/16 mile, he followed with a dirt road victory at Tampa more than a mile and 40 yards. Hall of Famer Mark Casse, Sir Winston’s coach, assigned Dylan Davis to ride.
Klaravich’s barn Vote untested beyond a mile but entered Peter Pan in sharp one-turn form, winning the double-mile race at Aqueduct race track this year after his seventh debut on the pitch last summer at Racecourse Saratoga. On receiving the first level grant, the optional claimant on April 8 at Aqueduct, he passed an extended challenge to win by head, completing a mile in 1: 35.63.
Irad Ortiz Jr on board for coach Chad Brown.
Coach Rodolphe Brisset runs a pair, We who and Western River , both arriving in New York after the final race in Arkansas. The former, owned by WinStar Farm, CMNWLTH and Siena Farm, won his first two starts before he was frustrated when he fell behind at the Arkansas Derby (G1), trailing off to seventh. at the hands of Flavien Prat, who returned to his ship on Saturday.
“Flavien did the right thing to bring him back and the horse just turned a little green,” Brisset said. “He was on the reins, off the reins, and he just needed a little spice and a bit of maturity. We were obviously hoping for a better result and trying to get him into Kentucky. Derby (G1), but that didn’t happen.”
Western River received a post-graduation class-share test of a maiden rating of 3 3/4 length in its fifth start. Racing in the Arkansas Derby Derby on April 2, Western River won a 1 1/16-mile lap in 1:43.59 in a fast-paced race.
The Tapit beat multi-class bet winner, group 2 bet winner Private mare Morena has a Belmont Stakes pedigree, is a full brother to the 2016 winner, Creator .
“If he runs anywhere from 1-2-3, we’ll be keeping a close eye on Belmont,” Brisset said. “Hopefully, we can get some pace in the race and we’ll be there that day.”
Western River, owned by September Ranch, Union Park Thoroughbreds, Black Fern, and Michael and Tammy Motley, has Luis Saez in the saddle.
Set Sail , Complete the work program , Cooke Creek and State Plan complete this field. Cooke Creek adds flash.
Item: Peter Pan S. (G3)
Belmont ParkSaturday, May 14, 2022, Race No. 9
- Level III
- 1 1/8 minutes
- Dust
- 200,000 dollars
- 3 yo
- 5:19 pm (local)
