A field of seven head to the gate in the $350,000 Peter Pan (G3) at Belmont Park on Saturday. (Photo credit: Bigstock.com)
Saturday’s $350,000 Peter Pan (G3) at Belmont Park drew a field of eight with seven heading to the gate in a race that may produce a starter or two for the Belmont Stakes (G1) in four weeks.
Diamond King (7-2) was entered but his connections will instead head to Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes (G1) next Saturday.
Core Beliefs is the 2-1 morning line favorite and ships in from the west coast for trainer Peter Eurton. The colt was third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) in his last outing. The colt is not Triple Crown nominated.
Five of the seven are Triple Crown nominated including my top pick Just Whistle (5-1). The Michael Matz trainee faces winners for the first time after breaking his maiden last out in his third career start. He showed he has some ability with a good second behind Hofburg in his previous outing.
Blended Citizen (6-1) did not make it into the Kentucky Derby (G1) field and the Doug O’Neill trainee could move on to the Belmont with a strong performance in this race.
Two others are exiting the Blue Grass at Keeneland—ninth place finisher Zing Zang (10-1) and 11th place finisher Gotta Go (15-1).
Completing the field are Northern Spur winner High North (4-1) and Roar third place finisher Transistor (15-1).
My Best Plays Report for Saturday includes my strongest plays from Belmont Park and Pimlico.
Let’s head out to Belmont Park for Saturday’s featured race of the day:
Belmont Park Race 10 The Peter Pan G3 (Post time 6:18 ET)
#3 Just Whistle 5-1
#4 Blended Citizen 6-1
#1 Core Beliefs 2-1
#6 High North 4-1
Analysis: Just Whistle was a good looking maiden winner last out in his third career start. Two back at Gulfstream park in his first route he made a good late rally to finish in the runner up spot behind Hofburg, who came back to run second in the Florida Derby (G1) and seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1) in his next two starts. The Matz trainee has enough pedigree to handle nine furlongs, by Pioneerof the Nile out of a stakes placed Street Cry mare, this her first foal to race. The colt still appears to have some upside and we should catch a decent enough price.
Blended Citizen was an also-eligible for the Kentucky Derby but did not get in. The colt won the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on poly at Turfway Park and then was fifth in the Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland last out with some trouble. The colt was u unhurried early, came with a six-wide bid, had to steady and alter course inside the final furlong and finished up well. He has won on turf and the fake stuff but is 0 for 4 on dirt but willing to give him another look here if we catch most of his 6-1 morning line.
Core Beliefs was third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) last out, no match for Justify and Bolt d’Oro. That effort was his first against winners, breaking his maiden two back in his first trip around two turns. His past pair of speed figs fit well here but his price may end up on the light side here with Justify coming back to win the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 4-1 or better.
EX: 3,4 / 1,3,4,6
TRI: 3,4 / 1,3,4,6 / 1,2,3,4,6
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