The $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles on the main track, is the local prep for the Belmont Stakes for horses who skipped the first two races of the Triple Crown series. A field of nine 3-year-olds went to post at Belmont Park on Saturday May 10, including the Japanese-trained entry of Casino Drive and Spark Candle, sent off at 5-4 favoritism. Casino Drive was making his second lifetime start, after winning his debut by 11 1/2 lengths at Kyoto last time out, also at the same distance and surface, while Spark Candle was a distant 12th in an allowance at Nakayama last time out. In to challenge the invaders were 7-2 second choice Ready's Echo, a close second in an allowance at Keeneland last out, and 9-2 third choice Tomcito, sixth in the Lexington last out after finishing third in the Florida Derby.
Mint Lane went to the lead exiting the chute and battled with Spark Candle on the front end through fractions of 23.08, 46.31, and 1:10.47. Casino Drive settled in 4th about 2 lengths off the pace, while off the rail. Entering the home straight, jockey Kent Desormeaux took Casino Drive out wide for room, and the favorite passed the pacesetters easily, while stablemate Spark Candle faded to finish sixth. Casino Drive opened up a 2 1/2 length lead after a mile in 1:35.26, and drew away through the final furlong to win by 5 3/4 lengths over Mint Lane in 1:47.87 over the fast track. It was just 1/2 a length back to late-running Ready's Echo third.
Results chart from DRF
