Blended Citizen looks Belmont Stakes-ready in Peter Pan win

Blended Citizen, the last horse left outside last weekend’s Kentucky Derby, is poised to make an impact later in the Triple Crown trail after his rallying win Saturday in the Grade 3, $350,000 Peter Pan Stakes.

The Doug O’Neill trainee prevailed in a race known as a local prep for the Belmont Stakes, run this year on June 9. Certainly, we know now the Proud Citizen colt takes to “Big Sandy” surface in New York.

"We'll be liking our chances here," O'Neill's assistant, Jack Sisterson, said of the Belmont. "We wish Justify the best and hope he'll win the Preakness for a chance with a Triple Crown on the line, but we like our chances and he'll stay here and train up to it."

Under jockey Kyle Frey, Blended Citizen stalked a foursome of leaders spread across the track after the half mile, waited for them to tire, and then flew late to a final time of 1:49.75 in the one-turn feature.

The final margin was a widening 1 1/2 lengths.

Core Beliefs, who entered off a third-place run behind Kentucky Derby winner Justify in the Santa Anita Derby, looked like a winner when he cut the corner at the top of the stretch. But that colt couldn’t quite stay late.

Behind Core Beliefs, Just Whistle ran third with last-out stakes winner High North fourth in the field of six 3-year-old contenders.

"I had the cleanest trip," Frey said of riding Blended Citizen. "I was able to sneak outside, and once he got outside, I knew it was over. I should have just thrown my stick over the inside rail."

Two starts back, Blended Citizen won the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park for Greg Hall and SAYJAY Racing. That victory came on a synthetic surface, and his other win in nine starts entering Saturday was on turf.

Blended Citizen was a Derby also-eligible having narrowly missed the gate on qualifying points. His final opportunity came with a fifth-place effort in the Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland. There, he didn’t get the placing but finished up well late, just as in the Peter Pan.

"I think it [1 ½ miles] is exactly what he wants," Frey said. "I was super upset that we didn't get in the Derby, because I knew a mile and a quarter would be just fine. Things didn't go as we planned, but God always has a plan and I feel like it's a good one."