Out of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) with a low blood count, Alysweep bounces back for Saturday's $200,000 Peter Pan (gr. II) at 1 1/8 mile for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park.
A top effort could convince trainer Patrick Reynolds that the Gotham Stakes winner deserves a chance in the Belmont Stakes on June 7. Alysweep is coming off a second place finish to Peter Pan rival Spite the Devil in the Withers (gr. III) at Aqueduct May 3.
The son of End Sweep, along with Christine's Outlaw and Supervisor are nominated for the Belmont. The other three in the field of six – Spite the Devil, Go Rockin' Robin and Nacheezmo are not nominated and unlikely to be supplemented.
Third in the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) on April 12, Christine's Outlaw could be favored over Alysweep. Christine's Outlaw, to be ridden by Eibar Coa, figures to get a stalking trip for trainer George Weaver and owner Randy Hill.
Christine's Outlaw has had four races, winning two, both at Gulfstream Park.
Spite the Devil came from well off the space to catch Alysweep at the wire in the Withers. Trained by Allen Jerkens for his wife, Elisabeth, the Devil His Due gelding donned blinkers for the Withers following a last-place finish in the Wood Memorial.
$200,000 Peter Pan Stakes, 3-year-olds, 1 1/8 milePP. Horse, Rider, Wgt., Trainer
1. Nacheezmo, John Velazquez, 115, H. James Bond
2. Christine's Outlaw, Eibar Coa, 115, George Weaver
3. Go Rockin' Robin, Shaun Bridgmohan, 117, Scott Schwartz
4. Alysweep, Jerry Bailey, 123, Patrick Reynolds
5. Supervisor, Jose Santos, 115, Linda Rice
6. Spite the Devil, Javier Castellano, 121, H. Allen Jerkens.
