NEW YORK (AP) - Tonalist plowed through the slop to win the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes for 3-year-olds Saturday at Belmont Park.
The victory could be a steppingstone to the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes on June 7.
The Peter Pan is a traditional prep for the 1½-mile Belmont, the final jewel of the Triple Crown. It might be the next stop for Tonalist, a four-length winner in his stakes debut.
“Let’s see how the horse comes out of it but of course we have to think about the Belmont Stakes,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “We’re New York people and we’re at Belmont.”
Taking charge early with Joel Rosario aboard, Tonalist was comfortably in front all the way as the 6-5 favorite. The time was 1:48.30 for 1 1/8 miles.
Commissioner, sixth in the Arkansas Derby, rebounded to get second and returned $3.70 and $2.40. Irish You Well paid $3.90 to show.
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