Peter Pan

Saturday's Peter Pan S. (G2) could play an important role in the outcome of

the June 10 Belmont S. (G1). SUNRIVER (Saint Ballado), STRONG CONTENDER (Maria's

Mon) and LEWIS MICHAEL (Rahy) were all excluded from running in the Kentucky

Derby (G1) and they could use the one-turn, nine-furlong Peter Pan as a stepping

stone to the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.

Sunriver came to hand nicely this spring, winning a nine-furlong allowance

race with a final furlong in :12 2/5 at Gulfstream Park. Off that performance,

the dark bay colt was sent postward at odds of 4-1 for the Florida Derby (G1).

That day, he advanced nicely from the far outside on the backstretch, continued

his rally while four wide around the second turn, then finished extremely well

for third, 3 1/2 lengths behind Barbaro (Dynaformer) and Sharp Humor (Distorted

Humor). Sunriver trained forwardly in Louisville for a possible start in the

Kentucky Derby and it's understandable why trainer Todd Pletcher was disappointed that he did not get the opportunity to run the colt in the 1

1/4-mile classic. Sunriver is the one to beat.

Strong Contender easily broke his maiden last summer

at Arlington Park then reappeared in late February at Gulfstream Park, winning a

one-mile allowance event in a quick 1:34 3/5. After being excluded from the

Lane's End S. (G2) at Turfway Park, the chestnut colt was entered in the Blue

Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland. Strong Contender was compromised at the start of

that nine-furlong affair and made a run at the freaky front-runner Sinister

Minister (Old Trieste) on the far turn before weakening in the lane. The John

Ward-trained colt projects a forwardly placed trip and likely will be hard to

catch.

Lewis Michael and HARBORAGE (Monarchos) rate our longshot

specials.

Lewis Michael has always displayed a high level of talent.

Trained by Wayne Catalano, the bay colt finished a good third to Barbaro in the

Tropical Park Derby (G3) on New Year's Day and then had troubled trips in the

grassy Hallandale Beach S. and Illinois Derby (G2). In the latter, Lewis Michael

was pinned along the rail with nowhere to go, got checked out of a tight spot

near the five-sixteenths pole, then finished evenly in a mild drive. He has

trained well since and should offer attractive odds.

Harborage broke his maiden going two turns with a powerful late

turn of foot at Tampa Bay Downs. The Gary Contessa trainee closed belatedly for

third in the 1 1/16-mile OBS Championship S. at the Ocala Training Center, then

offered a sustained run from the outside before settling for runner-up honors

behind a loose-on-the-lead runner going nine furlongs at Aqueduct in

his last start, earning a 103 BRIS Speed rating. The dark bay colt drilled four

furlongs around the dogs in a bullet :46 3/5 over a muddy track at Aqueduct on

Wednesday and could surprise at a price.

REALLY INDIAN (A.P. Indy) settled well off the pace and then

came running along the rail before angling out and drawing off to an

authoritative 5 1/2-length score in his debut at Santa Anita in late January.

It's remarkable that the normally conservative Neil Drysdale chose this spot for

the colt's return. He is worth a second look. TESTIMONY (Yes It's True) finished a good second to stablemate Discreet Cat

(Forestry) in the U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) and liked to show speed as a juvenile last year. We're

going to take a stand against at 6-1 on the morning line.

The Nick Zito-trained HESANOLDSALT (Broad Brush) attended the

early running before weakening in the Florida Derby. The dark bay colt has some

upset potential at large odds. ICE N LEMON (Acceptable), who is also trained by

Zito, won a two-turn allowance event at Keeneland in his last start and is hard

to recommend at this level. SCANLON'S SONG (Partner's Hero) could not threaten

against lesser and seems ambitiously spotted here.