MR SWORD (Rizzi) will tote the top weight of 118 pounds on Saturday when he
takes on seven rivals in the $200,000 Peter Pan S. (G2) at Belmont Park. The 1
1/8-mile test traditionally produces a runner or two for the Belmont S. (G1),
which is set for June 11.
This year’s 137th edition of the Peter Pan will give Mr Sword a chance to
earn his first stakes victory. The Jennifer Pedersen trainee finished third in the Lane’s End S. (G2)
and then a distant seventh in the Blue Grass S. (G1). The bay colt will have Norberto Arroyo Jr. returning to the saddle
after Jerry Bailey rode him in his last one.
Bailey has the mount on ORATORY (Pulpit), who will be making his black-type
debut in the Peter Pan. The Tom Albertrani trainee finished a good second in an
Aqueduct allowance most recently. CHEKHOV (Pulpit) just broke his maiden last
out, scoring by 8 1/4 lengths, after a nice fifth-place run in the Sham S. His
biggest claim to fame is the fact that he cost $3.3 million and that the Sham
third-place finisher Giacomo (Holy Bull) captured the Kentucky Derby (G1).
The complete field for the Peter Pan, with riders and weights, is ROBADOR (Robannier),
Jose Valdivia Jr., 116; SIR GREELEY (Mr. Greeley), Eibar Coa, 116; Mr Sword;
Chekhov, Gary Stevens, 116; GOLDEN MAN (Suave Prospect), John Velazquez, 116;
GORBASH (Grindstone), Jose Espinoza, 116; REVERBERATE (Thunder Gulch), Jose
Santos, 116; Oratory, 116.