Belmont prospects prep in Peter Pan

A week after the Kentucky Derby, a week before the Preakness and the search for a the Belmont Stakes winner begins.

Though it is not particularly prudent to consider betting on a horse with one start in Japan, more than two months ago – an 11-length victory at odds of 1-5-- Casino Drive is an interesting presence in the Peter Pan Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Casino Drive, a son of Mineshaft, is a half-brother to both Jazil and Rags to Riches, who share not only lineage but history, having won the last two runnings of the Belmont Stakes with their careers abbreviated as a result. Their Japanese-owned relative, in New York specifically to attempt a continuation of the family reign over the final leg of the Triple Crown, finds a less than imposing cast that includes the Peruvian-raced Tomcito, whose American experience has been less than successful but whose South American record shows a win at 12 furlongs.

Tomcito comes with an odd-looking pair of front legs that apparently are no detriment to his stride. He finished third to Big Brown in the Florida Derby, floundered on the synthetic surface at Keeneland in the Lexington Stakes and found himself excluded from an oversubscribed Kentucky Derby for want of graded stakes earnings. The Peter Pan may provide a hint of Tomcito’s true ability and he has been training smartly since the Lexington.

Golden Spikes, depending upon the price, may very well be the right horse today. The Illinois Derby runner-up, compromised by an extremely slow pace while stalking the cleverly handled Recapturetheglory, has been training strongly in Florida for the always-dangerous Marty Wolfson and has the services of Edgar Prado. He is also positioned to dictate the pace on a surface that has been sealed and speed favoring of late. He is quoted at 3-1 on the morning line and playable at 2-1 or better.

Executive Fleet failed to get past a determined Bustin Stones in the Grade I Carter at Aqueduct in his last and finds himself confronted by a salty group of sprinters in the six-furlong Bold Ruler, the supporting feature at Belmont, but should get the money if the five-year-old retains his recent sharp form. This is a race with several possibilities and the 5-2 opening price accurately reflects his chances. --PM