With the Kentucky Derby behind us and the Preakness Stakes on the horizon there is a ton going on in the horse racing world. In between those two Triple Crown races the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes from Belmont Park will take the spotlight. This is a race for three-year-old going 9 furlongs on the dirt. A stellar field of 11 will compete for the $200,000 purse.
Grade 2 Jerome Stakes winner Adios Charlie figures to be the favorite after splashing to a 2 1/2 length win over Astrology and Justin Phillip last out. While he is a good colt with a bright future he looks like a strong play against candidate. His last race was a good win, but it was an oddly run race as Justin Phillip just stopped on the front end and the track was off. The second place finisher, Astrology, just isn’t much of a horse as a three-year-old. Add distance concerns to that and he is a colt I’m willing to take a stand against.
My top selection to win the Peter Pan Stakes is the son of Distorted Humor, Alternation. Trained by Don Von Hemmel, he was last seen closing from 19 lengths back to be fifth beaten six lengths in the Arkansas Derby. He broke slow in that race and pretty much lost his chance of winning, but he finished up like a monster and was hitting his best stride near the end. The second place finisher in that race, Nehro, returned to take the place spot in the Kentucky Derby.
Before the Arkansas Derby, Alternation won three races in a row including a maiden victory and two allowance scores. In one of those allowance wins he beat the highly regarded Elite Alex. That colt is now targeting Canada’s premier race, the Queen’s Plate. He is screaming for this distance as proved by his last effort and the fact that he is out of a Seattle Slew mare. This is clearly a colt with a world of potential and you will get very good odds of 6-1 or more. His latest work of six furlongs in 1:12 B tells me he is ready to go. I love this play.
Other contenders include Northern Spur winner Uncle Brent, Illinois Derby winner Joe Vann and Lexington Stakes runner up Prime Cut. I would rate Uncle Brent as my second choice.
Who do you like in the Peter Pan Stakes? Be sure to check out our Horse Betting page for information on how to join in on the online betting fun.
[...] Peter Pan Stakes: Alternation ($9.40) [...]