Florida Derby (G1) third SUNRIVER (Saint Ballado), who was excluded from the
Kentucky Derby (G1) because of insufficient graded stakes earnings, heads a
field of nine talented sophomores in the $200,000 Peter Pan S. (G2) on Saturday.
The 1 1/8-mile test is traditionally a springboard for the final classic, the 1
1/2-mile Belmont S. (G1), on June 10.
Sunriver, a full brother to two-time champion Ashado, will be making his
sixth start at the nine-furlong distance for the powerful Todd Pletcher barn.
The dark bay colt overcame a troubled trip to finish a respectable third in the
April 1 Florida Derby, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by subsequent Kentucky Derby hero
Barbaro. Prior to that, he scored a stylish allowance victory at Gulfstream
Park. Sunriver had been training sharply at Churchill Downs in hopes of drawing
into the Run for the Roses, but his connections were forced to develop an
alternate game plan once he failed to get into the field. Rafael Bejarano, who
rode the colt to a seventh-place finish in the sloppy Holy Bull S. (G3) in his
stakes debut, will be back aboard as he breaks from post 2.
“We had considered him for the Preakness (G1) too,” Pletcher said, “but I
felt that off a seven-week layoff, he was better suited to run in the Peter Pan
where there’s no Barbaro (Dynaformer), no Brother Derek (Benchmark) and no Sweetnorthernsaint
(Sweetsouthernsaint). It seems
like a better spot. Hopefully, he’ll run the way he’s been training. We’ll see
how he comes out and then make a decision on the Belmont.”
The highly regarded STRONG CONTENDER (Maria’s Mon) also had his agenda
changed this spring because of a lack of graded earnings. After the chestnut
drew off to a commanding 4 3/4-length win in a one-mile allowance at Gulfstream
in his second career start, trainer John Ward shipped him to Kentucky for a bid
in the Lane’s End S. (G2), but he didn’t have enough earnings to draw into the
event. Strong Contender then bided his time and did not tackle stakes company
until the April 15 Blue Grass S. (G1), in which he wound up a remote third to
the tear-away front-runner Sinister Minister (Old Trieste). Allotted post 7 here, he
will get the services of new rider Mike Smith, who has already become acquainted
with the colt by working and galloping him in the mornings.
“He got some more experience in the Blue Grass which he needed,” Ward said.
“He’s got a lot of talent, but he’s only a May 15th foal.” Ward added that the
Belmont would be next if he runs well in the Peter Pan.
Godolphin Stable will send out its first North American runner this year in
the shape of TESTIMONY (Yes It’s True), who has not raced since coming in a
distant runner-up to undefeated stablemate Discreet Cat (Forestry) in the March
25 U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2). In his first two starts this year at Nad al Sheba,
Testimony was second in an allowance and then eighth in the U.A.E. Two Thousand
Guineas (UAE-G3). Eibar Coa takes the call on the bay.
LEWIS MICHAEL (Rahy), a stakes winner on the lawn as a juvenile, exits a
fourth to Sweetnorthernsaint (Sweetsouthernsaint) in the April 8 Illinois Derby
(G2). The Wayne Catalano charge has been working very well of late, including a
pair of five-furlong bullet moves at Arlington Park, and his connections were
considering a tilt at Saturday’s Preakness before opting for this spot.
Mark Guidry will be in the irons for the first time.
Conditioner Nick Zito will be represented by two hopefuls, Florida Derby
fifth HESANOLDSALT (Broad Brush) and recent Keeneland allowance winner ICE N
LEMON (Acceptable). Hesanoldsalt hasn’t hit the board in three stakes attempts,
while Ice N Lemon was last of nine when testing stakes waters in the Tampa Bay
Derby (G3).
Horseman Neil Drysdale invades with impressive debut maiden winner REALLY
INDIAN (A.P. Indy). The chestnut colt powered to a 5 1/2-length victory at Santa
Anita on January 25 and has not appeared under silks since.
“He got sick after that race,” Drysdale explained, “and we had to stop on him
and start him all over again. Obviously, we’re taking on a lot here, but I was
very pleased with his win. We’re going to see if we can squeeze some
three-year-old stakes out of him. We’ll see how he runs Saturday before thinking
about the Belmont Stakes.”
Royally bred
HARBORAGE (Monarchos) was third in the restricted OBS Championship S. two starts
ago in his stakes bow. The Gary Contessa trainee showed more when stepping up to
nine furlongs in an Aqueduct allowance/optional claimer, making a sustained run
for second, and blew out a sharp half-mile in :46 3/5 on Wednesday. SCANLON’S
SONG (Partner’s Hero) flies the flag for Paraneck Stable, but the gelding is
coming off five straight disappointing efforts.
The complete field, in post position order with riders, comprises Scanlon’s
Song, Pablo Fragoso; Sunriver; Ice N Lemon, Channing Hill; Hesanoldsalt, Jose
Santos; Lewis Michael; Testimony; Strong Contender; Really Indian, Cornelio
Velasquez; Harborage, Mike Luzzi.
Each three-year-old will carry 116 pounds.