Peter Pan

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s 137th running of the Peter Pan S. (G2) will likely produce a
starter or two for the final leg of the Triple Crown, the $1 million Belmont S.
(G1), two weeks hence. The nine-furlong event is hard to gauge — all but one of
the eight entrants are still eligible for a “two other than” allowance. That
said, we’re going to give a slight nod to CHEKHOV (Pulpit), who exits an
impressive 8 1/2-length maiden victory over this surface. Trained by Patrick Biancone, Chekhov rated kindly in the early going, accelerated when given the
signal, then rolled through the stretch, earning a BRIS Speed rating of 102 and an
excellent BRIS Late Pace rating of 114. The promising bay, who cost $3.3
million, has been keeping better company than the other entrants and could be
the real deal.

SIR GREELEY (Mr. Greeley) came alive in a pair of one-mile races at Aqueduct
after being gelded. He broke his maiden for a tag by 12 1/2 lengths, then
strolled to a seven-length score over first-level allowance types, earning a 107
Speed rating. In his most recent start, the James Jerkens trainee dueled to the
wire with seven-year-old Not Phone (Arg) (Speakerphone) in a swiftly run
second-level allowance going one mile on the turf. The up-and-coming Sir Greeley
goes turf to dirt and rates a threat on the stretch out.

GOLDEN MAN (Suave Prospect) earned a 106 Speed rating in his first start off
the claim for trainer Richard Dutrow, whose first-out claims are known for dramatic improvement.
The third-place finisher that day, Coin Silver (Anees), came back to win the
Lexington S. (G2) and then finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The dark bay was supplemented to and entered in the Preakness S. (G1), but
he was denied a starting berth due to insufficient graded
earnings. Golden Man should factor on the upgrade with Edgar Prado astride.

ORATORY (Pulpit) was a daylight winner in his seasonal debut, then
finished a good second after a wide trip on both turns going this distance at
Aqueduct last out. He is tactically drawn on the outside for a stalk-and-pounce
trip and will be ridden by Jerry Bailey for the first time. Nice sleeper
potential. The Jen Pedersen-trained MR SWORD (Rizzi) made a quick move to take
the lead and looked home free before weakening late and finishing third in the
Lane’s End S. (G2) over a muddy track at Turfway Park two back. The colt
subsequently finished last in the Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland, but has
trained well for his return to action. Mixed feelings.

REVERBERATE (Thunder Gulch) won a 1 1/16-mile allowance on the same day
Chekhov broke his maiden, earning a 103 Speed figure. The chestnut could be the
pacesetter and may be hard to catch. A good effort will likely propel him
toward the Belmont, so he has some upset potential. Consider. GORBASH
(Grindstone) has shown subtle improvement against increasingly better competition
in his last two starts and could earn a slice from off the pace at large odds. ROBADOR (Bobannier) defeated fellow California-breds with a late run in the
restricted nine-furlong Snow Chief S. at Hollywood Park. He would have to
improve dramatically to factor here.