Peter Pan

Saturday’s Peter Pan S. (G2) could play an important role in the outcome of
the June 10 Belmont S. (G1). SUNRIVER (Saint Ballado), STRONG CONTENDER (Maria’s
Mon) and LEWIS MICHAEL (Rahy) were all excluded from running in the Kentucky
Derby (G1) and they could use the one-turn, nine-furlong Peter Pan as a stepping
stone to the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.

Sunriver came to hand nicely this spring, winning a nine-furlong allowance
race with a final furlong in :12 2/5 at Gulfstream Park. Off that performance,
the dark bay colt was sent postward at odds of 4-1 for the Florida Derby (G1).
That day, he advanced nicely from the far outside on the backstretch, continued
his rally while four wide around the second turn, then finished extremely well
for third, 3 1/2 lengths behind Barbaro (Dynaformer) and Sharp Humor (Distorted
Humor). Sunriver trained forwardly in Louisville for a possible start in the
Kentucky Derby and it’s understandable why trainer Todd Pletcher was disappointed that he did not get the opportunity to run the colt in the 1
1/4-mile classic. Sunriver is the one to beat.

Strong Contender easily broke his maiden last summer
at Arlington Park then reappeared in late February at Gulfstream Park, winning a
one-mile allowance event in a quick 1:34 3/5. After being excluded from the
Lane’s End S. (G2) at Turfway Park, the chestnut colt was entered in the Blue
Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland. Strong Contender was compromised at the start of
that nine-furlong affair and made a run at the freaky front-runner Sinister
Minister (Old Trieste) on the far turn before weakening in the lane. The John
Ward-trained colt projects a forwardly placed trip and likely will be hard to
catch.

Lewis Michael and HARBORAGE (Monarchos) rate our longshot
specials.

Lewis Michael has always displayed a high level of talent.
Trained by Wayne Catalano, the bay colt finished a good third to Barbaro in the
Tropical Park Derby (G3) on New Year’s Day and then had troubled trips in the
grassy Hallandale Beach S. and Illinois Derby (G2). In the latter, Lewis Michael
was pinned along the rail with nowhere to go, got checked out of a tight spot
near the five-sixteenths pole, then finished evenly in a mild drive. He has
trained well since and should offer attractive odds.

Harborage broke his maiden going two turns with a powerful late
turn of foot at Tampa Bay Downs. The Gary Contessa trainee closed belatedly for
third in the 1 1/16-mile OBS Championship S. at the Ocala Training Center, then
offered a sustained run from the outside before settling for runner-up honors
behind a loose-on-the-lead runner going nine furlongs at Aqueduct in
his last start, earning a 103 BRIS Speed rating. The dark bay colt drilled four
furlongs around the dogs in a bullet :46 3/5 over a muddy track at Aqueduct on
Wednesday and could surprise at a price.

REALLY INDIAN (A.P. Indy) settled well off the pace and then
came running along the rail before angling out and drawing off to an
authoritative 5 1/2-length score in his debut at Santa Anita in late January.
It’s remarkable that the normally conservative Neil Drysdale chose this spot for
the colt’s return. He is worth a second look. TESTIMONY (Yes It’s True) finished a good second to stablemate Discreet Cat
(Forestry) in the U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) and liked to show speed as a juvenile last year. We’re
going to take a stand against at 6-1 on the morning line.

The Nick Zito-trained HESANOLDSALT (Broad Brush) attended the
early running before weakening in the Florida Derby. The dark bay colt has some
upset potential at large odds. ICE N LEMON (Acceptable), who is also trained by
Zito, won a two-turn allowance event at Keeneland in his last start and is hard
to recommend at this level. SCANLON’S SONG (Partner’s Hero) could not threaten
against lesser and seems ambitiously spotted here.