Head to Head: Peter Pan puts Belmont dreams on the line

Laurie

Ashley

1. Trendsetter

Trendsetter improved off his third-place finish in the Rushaway to Bull by the Horns to shock the Lexington Stakes (G3) field in a career-best performance. After a cushy rail trip, he tipped out, eventually changed to his right lead and passed the tired, embattled pacesetters. The Ben Colebrook trainee scored the Peter Pan’s highest Brisnet late-pace speed figure of 93. By Modernist, a multiple Grade 3 winner at 1 1/8 miles, Trendsetter has sprinter-miler stakes speed in his distaff line through his second and third dams. Colebrook gave Trendsetter a sharp pre-race, four-furlong work in 47.80, third best of 100. Jockey Kazushi Kimura might use the same rail-saving strategy in the Peter Pan, and Trendsetter could be tough in his third start off the layoff. Contender.

Trained by Ben Colebrook, Trendsetter was last seen springing a 32-1 upset in the Lexington Stakes (G3). The gelding’s other wins came in his first two career starts when racing against Virginia-breds at Colonial Downs. Colebrook has tried Trendsetter on turf and Tapeta, as well. He managed a second in the Turfway Prevue and a third in the Rushaway, finishing 3 3/4 lengths behind winner Bull by the Horns. As for traditional dirt, Trendsetter is 4: 3-0-0, indicating that that’s his preferred surface. Kazushi Kimura has the return call. Exotics.

2. Azam

Azam won his debut in a good 59.31 for six furlongs but was disqualified for bumping with Khon Han, who returned to place second in the Proud Man Stakes and flopped in the Bathhouse Row Stakes. Azam found the winner’s circle in his third start, getting a mile at Gulfstream in 1:37.37 with a tepid 13.41 final furlong. The Jose D'Angelo trainee’s Brisnet figure improved to 86. By third-crop sire McKinzie, Azam is half to Dubai World Cup (G1) hero Magnitude. His second dam Octave was a multiple Grade 1 winner, including the Kentucky Oaks, Mother Goose and CCA Oaks. Most of McKinzie’s offspring are best up to 1 1/16 miles, but he has three successful at 1 1/8 miles: Baeza, Chancer McPatrick and Scottish Lassie. Azam had a recent routine solo maintenance breeze of 51.35 for four furlongs at Palm Meadows. Like most of the field, he’s a need-the-lead type. He has one of the best pedigrees in the field and is bred for distance, so maybe he can hang on for a piece. Exotics.

Trained by Jose Francisco D’Angelo, Azam crossed the wire first in his debut but was disqualified to second for crowding a rival in deep stretch. Azam then was shelved for the remainder of 2025 and reappeared in March, running third first off the bench before officially breaking his maiden in his third start. All three starts were at Gulfstream, and none of them have produced any noteworthy runners. This will be Azam’s two-turn debut, and he’ll have to carry his speed an extra furlong. Jose Lezcano, who will be the colt’s fourth rider in as many starts, has the call. Pass.

3. Growth Equity

Like Azam, Growth Equity sat closer to the pace in his last start and opened up on a trio of other maidens. He completed a mile in 1:38.48 with a 13.03 final furlong. Nyquist’s son is out of the Grade 3-placed sprinter My Dear Venezuela. The dam is half to a Grade 3-winning sprinter, and there is other sprinter-miler speed in the family. But Growth Equity’s half-brother by Arrogate was second by a nose in a three-horse maiden special at Laurel timed in 1:51.35 with a 13.60 final furlong. Growth Equity’s speed ratings are improving and he closed in his first two starts, indicating that he has tactical speed. Contender.

Trained by Chad Brown, Growth Equity needed three starts to break his maiden. He was second in his debut at Saratoga and then shelved for the rest of the year. Growth Equity popped up in February at Gulfstream, once again finishing second. Brown then shipped the colt to Aqueduct, where the colt finally found the winner’s circle. It was his first route race, and his connections changed up his running style, putting him on the lead rather than pressing the pace. Flavien Prat takes over from Manny Franco. Contender.

4. Bull by the Horns 

Although Bull by the Horns won his second start on dirt, he struggled on the surface in three other starts. The pretty gray colt showed determination, circling the field in the Rushaway at Turfway and beating Trendsetter, who was third. He completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.7. Essential Quality's son is out of the stakes-placed turf miler, No Sweat (Blame), a half-sister to Iowa Derby (G3) winner Looking Cool. The second dam Coolwind was multiple graded-placed from a mile to 1 1/8 miles. Saffie Joseph Jr. gave Bull by the Horns a pre-race 47.45 four-furlong move on April 26, fourth-best of the day. Bull By The Horns eventually might be best over the lawn, but he has tactical speed. Contender.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Bull by the Horns has two wins from five starts. The son of Essential Quality most recently took the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway after a disappointing seventh in the Fountain of Youth (G2). Aside from the Fountain of Youth, Bull by the Horns hasn’t faced much except Trendsetter and Mr Mo’s Magic, who won the Sophomore Turf Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Regular rider Micah Husbands has the mount. Exotics.

5. Talk to Me Jimmy

Talk to Me Jimmy was a fast talker in the Withers but stuttered badly in the Wood Memorial (G2) stretch, checking in eighth with a 66 late-pace figure.  Also by Modernist, Talk to Me Jimmy has little black type in his distaff line. His dam’s half-sister bore Marckie’s Water, a multiple stakes-winning turf router. Rudy Rodriguez gave the colt a pre-race 49-flat four-furlong maintenance move. We know he can carry his speed 1 1/8 miles, but against other pacesetters? Pass.

Trained by Rudy Rodriguez, Talk to Me Jimmy was last seen finishing eighth in the Wood Memorial (G2). He was just 4 1/2 lengths behind the winner, Albus. Third-place finisher Ocelli just finished third in the Kentucky Derby. Prior to the Wood Memorial, Talk to Me Jimmy dominated the Withers Stakes by 11 lengths, earning a career and field-best 96 Brisnet speed rating. Manny Franco has the mount. Contender.

6. Gulfy

Gustavo Rodriguez stole Gulfy, a $500,000 Keeneland Sales graduate, for $50,000 in February and brought him back in a $75,000 optional claimer, where Gulfy showed determination and won the photo by a head, getting a mile in a slow 1:39.16 but a decent 12.88 final furlong.  Constitution’s son is out of the stakes-winning sprinter, Gulf Coast (Union Rags), and Guffy is half to Admiral Dennis, winner of the Delaware Derby (1 1/16 miles). His fourth dam, Lassie’s Legacy (Deputy Minister), is half to A.P. Indy, both out of Weekend Surprise. Exotics.

Trained by Gustavo Rodriguez, Gulfy needed six starts to find the winner’s circle. He also needed to drop into maiden claiming company to get the job done. Gulfy then followed that with a victory in a starter race. Rodriguez has 20% wins with a 60% in-the-money clip in graded stakes over the last five years, but it should be noted that Phileas Fogg was his only starter at the graded level during that time period. Kendrick Carmouche gets the return call. Pass.