What we learned: We the People excels with up-front position

We the People made amends for his disappointing finish in the Arkansas Derby (G1) by dominating the field in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) Saturday at Belmont. With the victory, the son of Constitution brought his record to three wins in four starts for trainer Rodolphe Brisset, and he now owns successful graded-stakes experience as well. 

For We the People, the key is running up front and getting involved early. In this case, he took the lead and established a slight cushion while setting fractions of 23.66 and 47.24 seconds for the nine-furlong distance.

Electability gave chase in second, with Cooke Creek on the outside in third. Set Sail did not start well and had to settle for fourth on the inside.

Golden Glider completed the chasing group in fifth, and a four-length gap separated him from Western River in sixth. A smaller two-length gap came between Western River and the pair of State Planning and Complete Agenda.

On the far turn, We the People still held a comfortable lead. Electability and Cook Creek were both under a ride and could not close the gap. Set Sail went along evenly on the inside under a hand ride from Joel Rosario. Golden Glider started to get asked by Dylan Davis, but he had traffic problems to deal with. Western River wound up on the outside.

Flavien Prat asked We the People for more run, and he responded beautifully by opening up in the stretch. Under a mild ride, We the People dominated the Peter Pan with a 10 1/4-length win over Golden Glider in second. Electability finished a nose behind Golden Glider in third. Western River ended up fourth and a neck behind Electability.

We the People finished the nine furlongs in 1:48.27, which translated into a 103 Beyer Speed Figure. 

Based on these results, We the People looks like the only horse out of the Peter Pan who can win the Belmont Stakes. His ability is not in question. 

From a pedigree standpoint, We the People can probably handle the 1 1/2-mile distance. This is a son of Constitution, who is a son of Tapit and great grandson of 1992 Belmont Stakes champion A.P. Indy, a great stamina influence.   

On the bottom side there is only minor concern. We the People’s second dam Harmony Lodge competed as a successful sprinter who won the 2003 Ballerina Handicap (G1) among other races. Overall, though, the stamina parts of the family likely outweigh the sprint influences.

In any case, We the People has shown the talent necessary to win a Grade 1 race such as the Belmont, or perhaps another Grade 1 down the line. He only needs to put forth his best performance on the right day.

Now, to address the losing horses.

Golden Glider finished second in the last strides, but he does not seem to have a second gear to help him in the stretch run. Perhaps the 1 1/2-mile distance benefits a steady runner such as this one. Given that he lost by 10 1/4 lengths, his Belmont odds need to look very generous.

Although Electability ran third, he kept fighting for second until the end. He might deserve a shot at the Belmont if there is room. Again, his odds need to reflect that he got blown out by 10 1/4 lengths. Otherwise, he might benefit from an easier race against Grade 3 horses.

Western River might show the right pedigree as a full brother to Creator, the 2016 Belmont winner, but he is not running at a high enough level to win. He could not even pick up second in the Peter Pan after setting himself up nicely on the outside. With that said, 1 1/2 miles might help. 

What happened to Set Sail? He faded to sixth, and Rosario did not seem to persevere with him in the stretch after he failed to move forward. The competition Set Sail defeated in his maiden win was suspect on paper, and maybe the step forward to a group of Grade 3 horses exposed him.

We the People needs only a good start and an upfront position on the lead or contesting the lead. If the Belmont sets up for We the People to secure the lead, it is not hard to envision this colt settling into a Da’ Tara type of trip and forgetting to stop after moderate fractions.

Regardless of where We the People goes next, this is a serious colt to watch.