What to watch for: Belmont Stakes hopefuls go in Peter Pan
With Belmont Park’s Grade 3, $300,000 Peter Pan Stakes a proven path to the Triple Crown series, any number of sophomore colts could prove themselves ready Saturday to proceed to the June 8 Belmont Stakes.
Two probables listed by the New York Racing Association in particular stick out on a big afternoon at Belmont Park, where five stakes featuring well-known runners will all be staged.
The Peter Pan would mark the stakes debut of Intrepid Heart, the half-brother of Belmont runner-up Commissioner who’s 2-for-2 to open his career. By Tapit, the Todd Pletcher trainee broke his maiden on debut Feb. 18 at Oaklawn Park, then backed it up with an April 5 allowance score at Keeneland. The more distance, the better.
Global Campaign, who was excluded from a full field in last weekend’s Pat Day Mile (G3) at Churchill Downs, is also expected to return to the races in the Peter Pan. The Sagamore Farm and WinStar Farm runner, a half to Bolt d’Oro, also opened his career 2-for-2 before a fifth in the Fountain of Youth (G2). He grabbed a quarter that day.
The Peter Pan lost a major contender when connections to Bourbon War announced they’ll go in the May 18 Preakness Stakes. Other probable runners include Final Jeopardy and Sir Winston, while Joevia, last seen running off at the beginning of the Wood Memorial (G2), is possible for the nine-furlong race.
Entries will be taken Wednesday.
Saturday’s Grade 1 Belmont Park feature, worth $700,000 in purse money, represents Zulu Alpha’s chance to rebound off a third in Keeneland’s Elkhorn (G3). The former claimer had won two straight to open his 6-year-old season before the defeat.
Top-level victories don’t come easy, of course. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has two invaders booked, with Magic Wand, who was second in the Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), set for her first start since fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), and Hunting Horn coming in after fourth in that race.
Trainer Chad Brown’s contingent consists of Focus Group, a 5-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy who won Gulfstream Park’s Pan American (G2) last time, as well as New York-bred Call Provision, who will be making his 6-year-old debut.
Brian Lynch-trained Admission Office and Barvlay Tagg-conditioned Highland Sky round out probables for the 1 3/8-mile Man o’ War.
Competitionofideas, the American Oaks (G1) winner in her most-recent start on Dec. 29, will kick off her 4-year-old season in the Grade 3, $200,000 Beaugay. She sizes up as a big favorite against Andina Del Sur (Tom Albertrani), Binti Al Nar (Peter Schiergen) and Matty's Magnum (David Donk).
The Test Stakes (G1) winner Separationofpowers, off since fourth in the Cotillion (G1), also opens her 4-year-old season for the connections of Brown and Klaravich Stables, with this dirt runner going in the Grade 3, $200,000 Vagrancy. Other probables include Dawn the Destroyer (Kiaran McLaughlin), Heavenhasmynikki (Anthony Quartarolo), Holiday Disguise (Linda Rice) and Pacific Gale (John Kimmel).
Firenze Fire, who dropped his season opener facing state-breds at Tampa Bay Downs, looks to bounce back in the $150,000 Runhappy at six furlongs on the main track. He’ll be up against stiff competition including Always Sunshine (Edward Allard), Killybegs Captain (John Terranova), Recruiting Ready (Hough) and Skyler's Scramjet (Michelle Nevin).