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ROAD TO THE TRIPLE CROWN JUNE 1, 2005 by James Scully ORATORY (Pulpit) impressively captured his stakes bow in Saturday's Peter Pan S. (G2), romping to a 4 3/4-length score in stakes-record time (1:46 1/5 for nine furlongs). Belmont's main track was ultra-fast, but the Tom Albertrani trainee deserves kudos nonetheless for his dynamic performance, disposing of the other speed horse on the far turn before finishing the final eighth in 11 3/5 seconds while under a hand ride from Jerry Bailey. Now 5-3-2-0, the rapidly improving colt earned a 112 BRIS Speed rating. The Belmont S. (G1) is a strong temptation, but Oratory requires a $100,000 payment to run since he's not nominated to the Triple Crown. Owner Darley Stable appears willing to pay the fee, and Oratory deserves the chance to compete in the Test of Champions. The Peter Pan looked weak prior to the race, but Oratory stepped forward with a promising effort that he could continue to build upon two weeks later. Five Belmont winners since 1979 (20 percent win rate) have prepped in the Peter Pan, and Oratory is the only starter this year who looks capable of being a factor. The refusal to nominate Oratory to the Triple Crown for only $600 over the winter doesn't make any sense considering his pedigree. Out of multiple stakes winner and 1998 Matron S. (G1) runner-up Arrested Dreams (Dehere), Oratory would become the third three-year-old to be entered to a Triple Crown race this year who wasn't nominated. The six-digit penalty makes the $600 early nomination fee look like a bargain for any three-year-old, and Darley shouldn't make the same mistake again in the future. REVERBERATE (Thunder Gulch), who dueled with Oratory down the backstretch and into the bend, held second by 6 1/2 lengths in the Peter Pan, and trainer Sal Russo plans to try the 1 1/2-mile Belmont. Recent maiden winner CHEKHOV (Pulpit) offered no rally and finished fourth at 3-2 odds on Saturday, but conditioner Pat Biancone noted that the $3.2 million two-year-old in training purchase was bumped at the start and lacked seasoning entering the race. He plans to give Chekhov another chance against stakes rivals in the Belmont. A large field is pointing toward the June 11 event. AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet) and GIACOMO (Holy Bull) are the only three-year-olds set to run in all three legs of the Triple Crown, and the Belmont will serve as a rubber match as they each own a win and a third-place finish in the first two races. Kentucky Derby (G1) starters ANDROMEDA'S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus) (eighth) and SORT IT OUT (Out of Place) (17th) are prepared to rejoin the mix, and SCRAPPY T (Fit to Fight), who made his Triple Crown debut with a second in Baltimore, will return for the Belmont. Other newcomers could include Lone Star Derby (G3) victor SOUTHERN AFRICA (Cape Town), Sir Barton S. hero PINPOINT (Peaks and Valleys) and maiden winners A.P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) and WATCHMON (Maria's Mon). Next week's column will feature a preview of the race
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